Abstract: A method for screening and distinguishing between cobalamin deficiency and folic acid deficiency by relating elevated levels of cystathionine to cobalamin or folic acid deficiency and relating elevated levels of 2-methylcitric acid to cobalamin deficiency but not folic acid deficiency. The methods can be used alone or in combination with other methods for detecting and distinguishing between cobalamin deficiency and folic acid deficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detection of long-lived radioisotopes in small bio-chemical samples, comprising:a. selecting a biological host in which radioisotopes are present in concentrations equal to or less than those in the ambient biosphere,b. preparing a long-lived radioisotope labeled reactive chemical specie,c. administering said chemical specie to said biologist host in doses sufficiently low to avoid significant overt damage to the biological system thereof,d. allowing a period of time to elapse sufficient for dissemination and interaction of said chemical specie with said host throughout said biological system of said host,e. isolating a reacted fraction of the biological substance from said host in a manner sufficient to avoid contamination of said substance from extraneous sources,f.

Abstract: Reformulated and other automotive motor gasolines may be analyzed to detect adulteration with gasolines containing a Rhodamine B base marker dye by mixing a small sample of the suspected fuel in a vial containing a small quantity of unbonded flash chromatography-grade silica. The presence of such marker dye in the suspect sample will color the silica red. The coloration may be detected in fuel samples which also contain red or blue grade identification dyes, detergent additives and oxygenates such as ethanol and MTBE.

Abstract: A method for visibly marking an area contaminated with transformer oil or other organic liquid uses a marking composition that consists of a colorant held within a solid carrier material, the colorant being such as to effect a visibly perceptible change upon contact with the organic liquid. The carrier material may be an absorbent that permits delivery of the colorant through capillary action, or the colorant may be encapsulated by a cell-forming matrix material that interacts with the contaminating liquid to effect release.

Abstract: Red-shifted, water-soluble, fluorescent, monomerically-tetherable derivatives having the formula: ##STR1##wherein, M represents either H.sub.2 or is selected from among the following metals: aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, gallium, germanium, cadmium, scandium, magnesium, tin, and zinc. Each R.sub.1 is independently selected from --XYW, --YW, and --W. X represents either a carbon, or heteroatom selected from among oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, silicon, and selenium; Y represents a linking group; and W represents a water solubilizing group. The substituent R.sub.2 is selected from among --A, --Y'A, --XA, and --XY'A, where A denotes a biological entity such as an antibody, antibody fragment, nucleotide, nucleic acid probe, antigen, oligonucleotide, deoxynucleotide, dideoxynucleotide, avidin, streptavidin or membrane probe, or R.sub.2 is a reactive or activatable group suitable for conjugating to a biological entity.

Abstract: Using storage phosphor recording media, two exposures are made of a sample containing two target substances tagged with different radiative emitters, for example 32-P and 35-S. The first exposure, image 1, is of the sample directly on the phosphor screen. The second exposure, image 2, is made with the appropriate absorption material between the sample and screen. Both images are captured. By using simultaneous equations isotope contributions of each label can be determined. Quantitative assessment of the contributions of the isotopes, and hence the target substances, are made by calculating isotope efficiencies both with and without the absorption filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the presence of biological molecules labeled with isotopes that are identifiable and distinguishable by their responses to nuclear magnetic resonance. The method features the use of labels that are:1) not radioactive or only weakly radioactive, therefore not hazardous to handle, and have a long storage life.2) small in molecular weight, thus not significantly changing the electrophoresis migration rate of the labeled material.3) available as several distinguishable labels, thereby enabling simultaneous detection of several classes of molecules.

Abstract: A DNA sequencing system and method are described to detect the presence of radiant energy emitted from different excited reporter dye-labeled species (DNA fragments) following separation in time and/or space, and the identity of the species which emit radiant energy closely spaced in wavelength. Functions of the emitted energy are obtained which vary over the wavelengths of the closely spaced spectra in different senses and the functions ratioed, whereby the ratio is indicative of the identity of the DNA fragments. The emitting portion of the reporter-labeled DNA fragment is preferably one of a family of fluorescent dyes based on 9-carboxyethyl-6-hydroxy-3-oxo-3H-xanthene. These xanthene dyes are covalently attached to the DNA fragments through the carboxylic acid functionality, preferably via an amide linkage. The dyes may be protected by including an alkoxy group at the 9-position. A spacer may be inserted between the dye and the amine.

Abstract: A tracer material having an identifiable property associated with a particular type product and/or a particular manufacturer is blended with dry, powder hydraulic cement-based building materials, which set to a hardened product after admixing with water or another hardening agent, to provide the capability of making a simple analysis of the hardened product to determine the presence or absence of the tracer material and thereby positively identify whether the building material used to produce the hardened product was a particular type and/or supplied by a particular manufacturer. The building material can be analyzed in the dry powder form prior to use to make the same type determination.

Abstract: Fluorescence probes are described comprising coronene fluorophores chemically attached to lipids or membrane-mimetic molecules via hydrocarbon spacers of defined length. Also described is a method for determining lipid packing and dynamics in membranes, a method for estimating hydrodynamic properties of macromolecules and macromolecular complexes, and a method for measuring changes in Ca.sup.+2 concentrations in or near membranes.

Abstract: Imaging biological molecules such as DNA at rates several times faster than conventional imaging techniques is carried out using a patterned silicon wafer having nano-machined grooves which hold individual molecular strands and periodically spaced unique bar codes permitting repeatably locating all images. The strands are coaxed into the grooves preferably using gravity and pulsed electric fields which induce electric charge attraction to the molecular strands in the bottom surfaces of the grooves. Differential imaging removes substrate artifacts.

Abstract: Aged and/or colored diesel fuels and similar petroleum distillates may be analyzed for the presence of an anthraquinone marker dye such as DuPont Chemicals Oil Blue B Liquid dye by passing a sample of the fuel through an unbonded silica solid phase extraction column which retains the color-forming agents on the column and which will provide for visual detection of the substantially nonretained marker dye in the column. A sufficiently nonpolar elution solvent such as dichloromethane or toluene may be passed through the column to elute the marker dye without removing the color-forming agents from the column. The solvent may be spectrophotometrically analyzed to detect presence of the dye.

Abstract: In a diagnostic method wherein steam condensate is evaluated, the proportion of condensate water from one steam source, versus other steam sources, is determined by adding at an addition point a tracer that is selectively carried over into the steam.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon liquid identification and tracing system based on fluorescence, high pressure liquid chromatography or thin layer chromatography and N-substituted or N,N'-dialkyl-4-amino-1,8-naphthalimides as the fluorophores is described.The liquid fuel tracing system based on the above naphthalimides is based on the 2.sup.n -1 binomial system and provides inexpensive and extremely accurate and sensitive monitoring and source identification.

Abstract: A method determines the concentration of a chemical of interest in a solution. A permeable membrane is placed in the solution and a ligand is exuded through the membrane to continually renew the ligand at the surface of the membrane which is in contact with the solution. Complexes of the ligand with the chemicals of interest are formed where the ligand renewed membrane is in contact with the solution. Illuminating the ligand renewed membrane with radiation from a distance from the membrane induces a fluorescence by the formed complexes on the ligand renewed membrane by the illuminating radiation. The fluorescence from the illuminated complexes on the ligand renewed membrane are detected from a distance from the membrane to provide a determination of the concentration of the chemical of interest in the solution.

Abstract: A process monitors boric acid or other boron compounds in a fluid system. At least one specie of tracer chemical is added to a fluid system and at least one sample of fluid from the fluid system is analyzed for at least the presence of the tracer, and the presence of the specie of tracer chemical in such sample determines at least the presence of boric acid or other boron compounds in the sample.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and/or monitoring the presence of hydrocarbons in a fluid medium at a remote location, by sensing the presence of hydrocarbon-based fluid in the fluid medium in the remote location, generating a signal indicative of the sensed fluid, and transmitting the signal to monitoring means for indication of hydrocarbon contamination. The apparatus has multiple sensors at different vertical levels for sensing the fluid medium at a plurality of levels within the fluid.

Abstract: A method and compounds useful for this method are described for enzyme-amplified signal detection in analytical assays requiring extremely high detection sensitivity which uses a substrate capable of being transformed by an enzyme from a compound which does not form a luminescent lanthanide chelate into a product which forms a luminescent lanthanide chelate. The method in which a substrate not capable of forming a highly luminescent lanthanide chelate is enzymatically altered to produce a product which forms a highly luminescent lanthanide chelate and hence is particularly useful in time-resolved luminescence analysis as required in many different heterogeneous or homogeneous assay formats is described herein.

Abstract: A test device for use in determining analyte wherein binder is supported on a solid support in admixture with a marker whereby the presence and location of binder on the support can be determined prior to the assay. A control for the assay may also be applied to the support in admixture with a label.

Abstract: A method for determining residual oil saturation of a watered-out reservoir using two water soluble tracers having different partition coefficients in oil. The partitioning tracers are selected from the group consisting of tritiated or carbon 14 tagged alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, water and oil insoluble inorganics and organic radioactive isotopes. The tracers are injected into the formation, and their production curves are analyzed over a period of time to determine chromatographic separation of the tracers.

Abstract: An improved process for the measurement of blood circulation by means of colored microspheres is presented, which process replaces the previous counting procedure when using colored microspheres by a rapidly reproducible measurement method. This avoids the complicated and expensive use of radioactively labelled microspheres. At the same time, a coloring process for the preparation of the microspheres is presented which is distinguished by homogeneous and intensive coloration of the microspheres.

Abstract: Organic tracers are employed to monitor the movement of subterranean fluids. These organic tracers are (a) stable at elevated temperatures, (b) capable of being detected at low concentrations, and/or (c) not adversely affected by the make-up of at least one subterranean formation. In addition, a plurality of these tracers can be measured by a single analytical technique.

Abstract: Complex metal anions such as cobaltic hexacyanide are utilized as nonradioactive tracers in reservoir studies. Sensitive analytical procedures enable detection and measurement of very low tracer levels.

Abstract: Marker dyes are detected in aged and dirty or "brown" gasolines by passing a sample of gasoline through plural solid phase extraction columns including a first column having a strong anion exchange phase bonded to a silica substrate. A color-forming reagent is added to the first column after elution of the gasoline sample therethrough. The marker dye colored complex and colored bodies not retained on the first column are eluted into a nonpolar solid phase extraction column with methane-sulfonic acid and the marker dye colored complex is eluted through the second column and into and through a third column containing unbonded silica. The color bodies of the gasoline will remain on the columns and the marker dye will be detectable at the bottom of the third column as evidenced by a pink color for marker dyes such as Morton International Mortrace MP marker dye and the like.

Abstract: The concentration of detergent additives and the like in motor gasoline and similar liquid petroleum fuels is measured by evaporating a sample of the fuel and passing the sample through a light-scattering detector to measure the concentration of unevaporated particles of high molecular-weight, low volatility material present in the additive concentrate. A gasoline sample may be passed through the detector by a transport medium comprising one of heptane and iso-octane. Photo detector signals generated by the additive-containing sample are compared with signals detected with samples not containing any additive. The sample and the transport medium are condensed after analysis. The method is fast, does not require venting of volatile hydrocarbon fluids to atmosphere and may be carried out using a minimal quantity of fuel product as the sample.

Abstract: Vitamin D derivatives corresponding to the following formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 denotes a substituted alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, in particular the side chains of vitamin D.sub.2 (C.sup.20 to C.sup.28) or D.sub.3 (C.sup.20 to C.sup.

Abstract: Microspheres labeled with a dye for which the absorption spectra is known permit the measurement of blood flows, particularly regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF), without radiation safety concerns and radioactive waste disposal problems. Polystyrene spheres, nominally of diameter 15.+-.0.1 [SD] um and density 1.09 g/ml, are dyed with a fixed quantity, nominally 30 picograms per microsphere, with one of several, nominally 5, colored dyes. The colored microspheres (CM) are injected into the left atrium or into a coronary perfusion. The CM are extracted from myocardium and blood by digestion with KOH and subsequent microfiltration. The dyes are then recovered from the CM within a defined volume of a solvent, and their concentrations are determined by spectrophotometry. The composite absorbance or emission spectra of several dyes are mathematically resolved using matrix inversion. Leaching of dye from the CM was less than 0.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and automatically injecting H.sub.2.sup.15 O, having: a target box adapted to be irradiated with a deuteron beam, a gas supplying device for supplying a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas as raw-material gases to the target box a radioactive-isotope conveying pipe connecting the target box and a vacuum pump for maintaining the interior of the target box and the interior of the radioactive-isotope conveying pipe in a vacuum state. In addition, the apparatus has an injection-fluid producing device and an automatic injection device, wherein the target box, the injection-fluid producing device and the automatic injection device are fluidly communicated with one another.

Abstract: This invention is a method and means to prevent tampering when urine specimens are donated for testing and to do so without violating privacy. The method is to require that the hands of the donor subject be continuously engaged while the specimen container is exposed, so as not to allow the subject's hands the physical freedom necessary to introduce a false specimen into a urine container. The mans of the invention is a device that ensures that the engagement is properly followed or that shows any failure to comply. The preferred device consists of a container holder with two separate parts that lock together to make a container inaccessible to a subject. The process of hand engagement unlocks the two parts to make the container accessible. Disengagement of the hand restriction while the two units are separated relocks the mechanism and blocks reassembly.

Abstract: Drift or residual oil saturation within a reservoir around a wellbore is determined by injection of a water-soluble tracer and then producing from the well. This injection is performed twice. The first injection is immediately followed by production in order to create a baseline. The second injection is followed by a soak period, and then production. Production of the tracers is compared to determine drift or residual oil saturation within the reservoir.

Abstract: A test device for use in determining analyte wherein binder is supported on a solid support in admixture with a marker whereby the presence and location of binder on the support can be determined prior to the assay. A control for the assay may also be applied to the support in admixture with a label.

Abstract: A process for the verification of toner compositions which comprises adding to the toner an alkali metal bicarbonate, and thereafter adding thereto an acid thereby causing the formation of effervescence.

Abstract: Methods for utilizing transition metals as tracers in aqueous liquid systems are provided by this invention. Transition metals with low background levels in system waters are identified as preferred when soluble in said aqueous liquid systems. The transition metals show low levels of deposition on equipment scale and provide reliable information as to the process history of the liquid systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a kit for verifying the source and completeness of urine samples when collected for testing for the presence of drugs of abuse. The method involves observing an individual consume (1) a quantity of a first chemical marker reagent capable of confirming upon chemical analysis the completeness of the urine sample and (2) a quantity of a second chemical marker reagent capable of confirming upon analysis the accuracy of the source of the urine sample. The urine subsequently collected is analyzed by known analytical techniques.

Abstract: Method of determining treating agent concentration added to a water recirculating system to enhance efficiency by inhibiting scaling or corrosion or settling of particulates; the treating agent bears an amine-containing fluorescent moiety tag covalently bonded thereto, allowing sample analysis for emissivity as a measure of concentration equatable to the performance of treating agent in the system; by simultaneously employing an inert fluorescent tracer equated to the original (ppm) dosage of treating agent, consumption of the treating agent may be determined by emissivity differences equated to the original dosage.

Abstract: A method of detecting the initial concentration of a water-treatment chemical present in a diluted aqueous system, by (1) incorporating into the aqueous system, a mixture including a known amount of the active ingredient and a known amount of an ultra-violet sensitive compound having the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein halogen is chlorine or bromine; X is ##STR2## and a and b, independently are 0 or 1; M is hydrogen or an alkaline metal ion; and (2) detecting the concentration of the compound of formula I, by exposing to ultra-violet light a sample of the aqueous system so treated.

Abstract: Complementary DNA probe method for diagnosing bacterial or fungal diseases which produce leaf lesions in plants.

Abstract: A variety of methods and apparatus for the detection of an analyte of interest in a fluid sample is provided which relies upon the interaction of a fluorophore and a chromophoric light absorbing compound for qualitative and quantitative results. The methods preferably employ fiber optic sensors in combination with fluorophores and/or proto-absorber substances in mobile and immobilized modes of use. The methods and apparatus rely upon the ability of the light absorbing compositions to absorb energy which is transferred either radiatively or non-radiatively by the fluorophore when in an excited state.

Abstract: Analyzing the level of a treating agent and/or stress metals in a body of water containing an inert transition metal tracer added to the water proportionally with the treating agent by determining the absorbance (first absorbance value) of a reagent dye added to water, said dye producing a second absorbance value when reacted at the same concentration with the tracer and stress metals in a measure of said body of water, and said dye producing a third absorbance value when reacted at the same concentration with only the transition metal contained in a measure of said body of water; determining the second and third absorbance values and resolving their differences to determine the concentration of the tracer and, separately, the concentration of said stress metals.

Abstract: A method for monitoring in situ miscibility of a solvent with reservoir oil by using at least two tracers having different boiling points and being miscible with the solvent. The tracers are mixed with the solvent, injected into a well and produced from another well. Appropriate analysis of the produced tracers will reveal whether the solvent is first contact miscible. The tracers are selected from the group consisting of halocarbons, halo-hydrocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, tritiated or carbon 14 tagged hydrocarbons, tritium gas and radioactive isotopes of inert gases.

Abstract: A fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) for detecting the presence of one or more amphetamine-class analytes in a test sample is provided. The immunoassay uses competition between the analyte and a fluorescently labeled tracer for the binding site on an antibody specific for phenethylamine derivatives. The concentration of amphetamine-class analyte in the sample determines the amount of tracer that binds to the antibody. The amount of tracer/antibody complex formed can be quantitatively measured and is inversely proportional to the quantity of analyte in the test sample. The invention relates to tracers, to immunogens used to elicit antibodies for use as assay reagents, and to assay kits incorporating these tracers and assay reagents.

Abstract: A method for determining the function of a unique cytochrome activity of the type which uniquely catalyses the N-demethylation of erythromycin in a patient's body, the method including the steps of ingesting a known quantity of a N-methyl carbon labeled erythromycin solution, the N-methyl carbon demethylated from the erythromycin being metabolized to an exhaled carbon labeled metabolite. A sample of exhaled breath containing a known amount of exhaled carbon metabolite is collected at a known interval of time after ingestion of the erythomycin solution. The quantity of labeled carbon metabolite is detected in the exhaled sample to determine the rate of labeled carbon elimination after the known time interval as an indication of the unique cytochrome function.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring the rate and extent of cure of a resin system undergoing polymerization which entails adding at least one multifunctional fluorescent dye to the resin system undergoing polymerization, the dye being one which initially forms a complex with itself or other components of the system and subsequently chemically reacts with the resin and whose degree of fluorescent emission varies in accordance with the degree of reaction with the resin, polymerizing the resin, simultaneously measuring the fluorescence of the resin system, and comparing the measured fluorescence with pre-existing data correlating the observed values with the rate and extent of polymerization, thereby enabling the rate and extent of polymerization of the resin system under evaluation to be determined.

Abstract: A method is provided for quantifying BrdU labeled DNA in cells. The BrdU is incorporated into the DNA and the DNA is stained with a first fluorochrome having a fluorescence which is quenchable by BrdU. The first fluorochrome is preferably a thymidine base halogen analogue, such as a Hoechst fluorochrome. The DNA is then stained with a second fluorochrome having a fluorescence that is substantially uneffected by BrdU. The second fluorochrome may be selected from the group consisting of mithramycin, chromomycin A3, olivomycin, propidium iodide and ethidium bromine. The fluorescence from the first and second fluorochromes is then measured to obtain first and second output signals, respectively. The first output signal is substracted from the second output signal to obtain a difference signal which is functionally related to the quantity of BrdU incorporated into DNA. The technique is particularly useful for quantifying the synthesis of DNA during the S-phase of the cell cycle.

Abstract: A sensitive and general method of post-separation detection and quantification of chemical compounds is described. The method involves separation of unlabeled compounds by chromatography, electrophoresis or other means and selective binding of the separated compounds to ligands containing highly neutron-activatable elements, followed by neutron irradiation. The neutron-activatable elements are converted to their radiation-emitting isotopes by neutron absorption, and detection is done by autoradiography, fluorography or other means of radiation detection. The theoretical sensitivity of the method is in the attomole (10.sup.-18 mole) range.

Abstract: Cyclodextrins can be coupled to biorecognition molecules such as antibodies. The cyclodextrins so coupled provide a cavity or complexation zone into which active agents such as labels, drugs and the like may be incorporated. The active agent forms a noncovalently bonded inclusion complex within the cavity of the cyclodextrin. It remains associated with the cyclodextrin and the coupled biorecognition molecule and thus can be delivered to the other half of the biospecific recognition pair. A process for producing these materials is also disclosed. The process includes the steps of activating a primary hydroxyl site on a cyclodextrin; linking a biorecognition molecule to the activated primary hydroxyl site on the cyclodextrin in either a direct covalent linkage or through a covalently linked spacer; and introducing a guest molecule (active agent) into the cavity of the derivatized cyclodextrin to form an inclusion complex.

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of a reagent in a reaction mixture including the steps of: adding dye to a reagent until the dye is at a given concentration in the reagent; mixing the reagent with a reaction mixture comprising a sample which reacts with the reagent to form a reaction product; measuring the formation of reaction product at a first spectral region; measuring the concentration of dye in the reaction mixture at a second spectral region in which the dye has an optical characteristic such as absorption or fluorescence, the second spectral region being different from the first spectral region; and determining the concentration of the reagent in the reaction mixture based on the concentration of dye measured.In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a reagent containing a dye useful in the above method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the improved processing of materials wherein microcapsules containing a microencapsulated detection agent are combined with the components to be mixed; the microcapsules are designed to rupture at predetermined conditions, and the mixtures are monitored for the presence of the detection agent which indicates that the predetermined conditions were achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous flow competitive assay system for the detection and measurement of chemical and biochemical analytes. It is a time-based, continuous on-line measurement of analyte concentrations comprising three functional assemblies connected in series: a sampler, a reactor and a detector. Tagged immunochemical discharged from the reactor is detected in the detector which contains a model of system response with the tagged immunochemical and keeps track of the amount of tagged immunochemical lost during the course of the operation of the reactor.

Abstract: Concentration cycles, percent life holding time for a component in the boiler and continuous treatment concentrations are monitored or determined in a boiler system by adding to the feedwater an inert tracer in a predetermined concentration C.sub.I, which reaches a final concentration C.sub.F at steady state in the boiler and which exhibits a blowdown concentration C.sub.t at different points in time. The component is an inert tracer having no significant carryover in the steam, nor significant degradation during boiler cycles. The tracer is monitored by continuously converting a characteristic of its concentration to an analog which may be recorded as a function of time.