Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the determination of polyvalent metal ions using a sandwich aggregation assay. One or more chelating agents capable of forming at least 2:1 or higher ratio stoichiometry complexes with polyvalent metal ions are attached to a suitable carrier such as latex particles through covalent bonds or by non-covalent interactions, such as hydophobic interactions. Upon complexation with the metal ions, the carriers of the complexing agent aggregate, causing an increase in light absorbance or light scattering which is proportional to the concentration of metal ions in the test sample. The measurement of the light absorbance or light scattering by a suitable instrument, such as a spectrophotometer or nephelometer provides a means for measuring the concentration of metal ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for rapid measurement of a fluid bulk analyte, requiring only microscale volumes. Several fluid bulk analytes can be measured simultaneously and, for biological samples, the cell content can also be measured simultaneously. The invention comprises reporter beads for chemical analysis of fluid bulk properties such as pH, oxygen saturation and ion content. Each reporter bead comprises a substrate bead having a plurality of at least one type of fluorescent reporter molecules immobilized thereon. The fluorescent properties of the reporter bead are sensitive to a corresponding analyte. Reporter beads are added to a fluid sample and the analyte concentration is determined by measuring fluorescence of individual beads, for example in a flow cytometer. Alternatively, reporter molecules which change absorbance as a function of analyte concentration can be employed.

Abstract: A surface processing method effected before the total-reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis is effected is disclosed. The surface processing is to modify all of the contaminants attached at least to the measurement surface of the wafer into particle-shaped residues. For this purpose, the measurement surface of the wafer is first dissolved by hydrofluoric acid to form a large number of droplets on the measurement surface. Next, the thus formed droplets are dried with the position thereof kept unchanged. After the drying, contaminants attached to the measurement surface of the wafer are left as particle-shaped residues. After this, the measurement surface of the wafer is analyzed by the total-reflection X-ray fluorescence analyzing method.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte sensor to measuring the amount of trace elements, such as sulfur, in molten metals such as steel is provided wherein zirconia toughened strontium .beta.-alumina is used as the solid electrolyte. The resulting sensor is highly resistant to thermal shock, and is suitable for use with molten metals at temperatures of 1350.degree. C. or higher.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of a family of fluorescent indicators for metal cations. The indicators are fluorophore conjugates of pyridyl-based metal ion chelators. The indicators are very sensitive detection as quantification reagents for a variety of metals, in a variety of oxidation states, even in the presence of high concentrations of Ca.sup.2+, Na.sup.+, or K.sup.+ or other ions, such as is found in seawater, making them highly useful for assaying physiological samples, biological samples, or environmental samples.

Abstract: A method of hair analysis that provides an extensive history is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (1) releasing trapped hair from a hair follicle; and, (2) performing hair analysis on the released hair.

Abstract: Organic and inorganic contaminants of an environmental sample are analyzed by the same GC-MS instrument by adding an oxidizing agent to the sample to oxidize metal or metal compounds to form metal ions. The metal ions are converted to chelate complexes and the chelate complexes are extracted into a supercritical fluid such as CO.sub.2. The metal chelate extract after flowing through a restrictor tube is directly injected into the ionization chamber of a mass spectrometer, preferably containing a refractory metal filament such as rhenium to fragment the complex to release metal ions which are detected. This provides a fast, economical method for the analysis of metal contaminants in a sample and can be automated. An organic extract of the sample in conventional or supercritical fluid solvents can be detected in the same mass spectrometer, preferably after separation in a supercritical fluid chromatograph.

Abstract: A swab is impregnated with a test reagent such that a test for a specific substance can be effected by rubbing the impregnated swab over the surface to be tested and then viewing the swab for a reagent reaction. The swab may have a hollow stem, and within the hollow stem is a cartridge within another cartridge. An activator solution is in one of the cartridges and a reagent is in another of the cartridges. A method for testing for a substance includes impregnating a swab, and rubbing the swab over a surface suspected of containing the substance. If the substance is present in the surface, a reaction with the substance produces an easily detectable color on the swab tip.

Abstract: The invention provides method and kits for detecting a metallic cation in a sample of a body fluid. The preferred method and kits include the use of at least two different types of antibodies having different specificities. In the preferred method, the sample of body fluid can be contacted with an effective amount of a capture antibody specific for a naturally occurring polypeptide that can bind the metallic cation to form a first antigen-antibody complex. An effective amount of an antibody specific for an epitope on a metallic cation-naturally occurring polypeptide complex or an antibody specific for a metallic cation is added to the first antigen-antibody complex to form a second antigen-antibody complex. The amount of the metallic cation in the sample of body fluid is determined by detecting the amount of the second antigen-antibody complex.

Abstract: An improved device for monitoring the presence of toxic metals in workplace air comprises a base and a removable top assembly. The top assembly includes a test substrate, such as filter paper, having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is supported by the top assembly and the second surface has an area that is sensitized with at least one chemical reagent for producing a reaction with at least one toxic metal. The base has an air inlet, an air outlet, and a channel connecting the air inlet and the air outlet, thereby enabling air entering the monitor from the air inlet to directly contact the area of the second surface of the test substrate prior to exiting the monitor through the air outlet.

Abstract: Methods of assaying for the presence or amount of a metal ion in a sample suspected of containing such ions. In one aspect, an enzyme amplified sandwich assay is provided which relies upon the ability of the analyte (metal ion) to form a complex with two complexing agents (chelators). In this assay, the first sandwich chelator is immobilized on a solid support, while the second sandwich chelator is linked to a reporter group (e.g., an enzyme). This assay combines the specific recognition of the analyte by the first and second sandwich chelators with the great signal amplification offered by the reporter group (e.g., enzyme). In another aspect, a competitive assay is provided that relies on the competitive inhibition of complex formation between the coating ligand (i.e., the chelator attached to the solid support) and the organometallic compound attached to the reporter group (e.g., enzyme) by the metal ions of interest present in the sample.

Abstract: Novel magnetic resonance imaging agents comprise complexes of paramagnetic ions with hydrazide derivatives of polyaminocarboxylic acid chelating agents. The complexes are represented by the formula of: ##STR1## wherein A is --CHR.sup.2 --CHR.sup.3 -- or ##STR2## M.sup.+Z is a paramagnetic ion of an element with an atomic number of 21-29, 42-44 58-70, and a valence, Z, of +2 or +3; R.sup.1 groups may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of --O.sup.- and ##STR3## The R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 groups are as defined in the disclosure. These novel imaging agents are characterized by excellent NMR image-contrasting properties and by high solubilities in physiological solutions. A novel method of performing an NMR diagnostic procedure involves administering to a warm-blooded animal an effective amount of a complex as described above and then exposing the warm-blooded animal to an NMR imaging procedure, thereby imaging at least a portion of the body of the warm-blooded animal.

Abstract: Vanadium in marine diesel lubricating oils resulting from raw fuel dilution is detected and quantified by way of an analytical technique employing electron spin resonance (ESR). Dilution of the lubricating oil with residual fuel oils results in the presence of vanadium in the lubricating oil in a form which is capable of being observed by ESR; by contrast, vanadium resulting from the presence of fuel oil combustion products (pentavalent vanadium) in the lubricating oil is not observed by ESR. The method therefore enables fuel vanadium, typically present as vanadyl porphyrins, to be differentiated from vanadium resulting from blow-by in the engine so that the operating condition of the engine may be monitored.

Abstract: Single or multi-cell reservoir sensors with single illumination sources and one or more detectors per cell unit have an arrangement whereby a gaseous, vapor or liquid sample enters the cell body and interacts with a sensing solution to detect and quantify a given species. Entrance of the sample into the sensor is through an opening in the cell body which may be covered with a membrane to contain the sensing reagent and to presort the species entering the cell. Reservoir cells can be used with organic, inorganic or biochemical sensing materials. A variety of sensors as alcohol, drugs of abuse, organic halides, cyanide and inorganic ions are provided.

Abstract: Improved method and device for detection and semi-quantitative colorimetric determination of molybdate, ferric, and vanadate ions in aqueous solutions and coolant systems containing ethylene glycol and coolant additive. The disclosed device comprises of test strips of absorbent support carrier or water resistant film impregnated uniformly with a hydroxylamine salt and a polyhydroxy organic acid such as gallic acid or its derivatives. Molybdate ions result in an orange/brown colorataion, ferric and vanadate ions result in a grey-blue/black coloration with color intensity directly proportional to concentration of ions.

Abstract: For the analysis of a sample in a method capable of wide application, the sample is reacted in a combustion reaction with elementary pure fluorine in a multiple molar excess in relation to the sample in a reactor of pure nickel so that the products of fluorination may be analyzed by spectrometry. A line spectrum can be produced in this manner, for example, from a silicon carbide sample combusted or reacted with elementary fluorine.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of determining oxidation on a titanium aluminide material. An aqueous saturated solution of oxalic acid is prepared. The saturated solution of oxalic acid is combined with a minor portion of hydrofluoric acid solution. The resultant oxalic acid/hydrofluoric acid solution is mixed. The titanium aluminide material is immersed in the mixed solution for a sufficiently long period to allow exposure of the oxidized surface followed by inspection thereof for a white layer indicating the presence of oxidation on its surface.

Abstract: A method of measuring or controlling ozone concentration by ultraviolet ray absorptiometry, includes charging air into a testing tank with its temperature controlled, measuring the disturbing gases generated from testpieces such as rubber samples inside the testing tank by regarding them as ozone, subtracting a value representative of the disturbing gases with a calculation circuit from a value indicative of the preexisting state in the tank to set the ozone concentration at zero, generating a necessary quantity of ozone with an ozonizer by using the zero ozone concentration as a reference point, suspending the generation of ozone after the passage of a predetermined time, measuring once again to obtain a new ozone concentration zero value, adjusting the ozone concentration zero value to the new value if there has been a change in the amount of disturbing gases generated, and repeating at least once the operation described above to regulate the ozone concentration to a desired ozone concentration.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for determining the dissolved zirconium content of a hydrofluoric acid-nitric acid etching bath for zirconium articles by determining the rise in temperature of a volume of the bath upon immersion therein of a known quantity of zirconium metal, immersing a known quantity of zirconium metal into a portion of the bath, measuring the rise in temperature over a predetermined period of time of said portion, determining the dissolved zirconium content of the bath as a function of the rise in temperature, and treating the bath dependent upon the dissolved zirconium content so determined to be in the bath.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of rapidly and reproducibly checking the quality of zirconium base material welds and heat affected zones. In this method, weldment samples are immersed in an elevated temperature fused salt bath for a time period sufficient, at the bath temperature selected, to produce an essentially black oxide film in acceptable quality welds while producing a scaling oxide in unacceptable welds.

Abstract: A process is provided for detecting trace amounts of a plateable metal in an aqueous fluid such as drinking water or industrial effluents. The process comprises an initial concentration step in an electrochemical plating cell whereby the metal in the fluid is deposited upon a glassy carbon plating electrode which is thereafter deplated in a second electrochemical cell wherein a porous solid test matrix impregnated with electrolyte is maintained proximate to the deplating electrode for retaining in solution the resulting metal ions formed from the deplated metal. A color indicator is then added to the test matrix to provide an indication of the presence of said metal.

Abstract: In the control of a refinery process, vanadium content of the hydrocarbon streams is determined by measuring the intensity of the 5 isotropic and 6 anisotropic ESR spectral peaks. The ln of the sum of the intensities of these two peaks has a linear relationship to vanadium content.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of an amount of sodium vanadate, in an aqueous solution containing the same which may also contain one or more sodium acid carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium thiosulfate, anthraquinone disulfonic acid, sodium sulfate, various acid gases (e.g. H.sub.2 S, CO.sub.2, COS and the like) and hydrocarbon liquid and gases such as would be expected in a Stretford gas treating solution, the improvement which comprises passing the solution to be analyzed into and through an anion exchange guard column then through a brine sensitive medium capacity ( 0.05 meq./gm) hydrophobic anion exchange column eluting the columns with a 0.001 M Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 /0.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively analyzing nitrogen contained in titanium group metal or an alloy thereof, involving melting the metal or alloy in an inert gas atmosphere, allowing the nitrogen in titanium to be extracted and subjecting the extracted nitrogen to a quantitative analysis, characterized in that a titanium sample for analysis is melted in the present of nickel in an amount corresponding to 7 to 16 times the weight of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sandwich method and a kit for assaying interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) in a sample. The method comprises determining reactivity of said sample with a plurality of ligands, each said ligand having binding affinity for a specific site on the receptor, said site being different for each said ligand and distinct from interleukin-2 binding site on the receptor. The invention also discloses a method of detecting such disturbed or abnormal conditions in humans which release soluble IL-2R in the body fluid.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively analyzing oxygen or nitrogen contained in titanium group metal or an alloy thereof, involving melting the metal or alloy in an inert gas atmosphere, allowing the oxygen in titanium to react with carbon thereby extracting it as carbon monoxide, or allowing the nitrogen in titanium to be extracted, and subjecting the extracted carbon monoxide or nitrogen to a quantitative analysis, characterized in that a titanium sample for analysis is melted in the present of nickel in an amount corresponding to 7 to 17 times the weight of the sample.

Abstract: Titanium alloy test samples including welded samples of such alloys are tested for recognizing textural or structural faults or flaws in the form of segregations or liquations. To make these flaws visible by increasing the contrast between a flaw and the background, an etching method including two etching steps is used, which achieves especially marked contrasts. The method is based on the selective solution removal of a phase, a grain, or of an impurity of an alloy type. An especially good visual recognition of segregations, liquations or inhomogeneities of welded test samples is made possible by the resulting matte gray surface against which lustrous flaws are clearly visible.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting the presence of a chromate coating on the surface of aluminum. The method includes the application of a few milliliters of a liquid composition to the surface of the aluminum. The liquid composition includes one part of potassium permanganate having a concentration of at least 0.5 weight/volume percent and one part of concentrated sodium hydroxide saturated in an aqueous solution. The liquid has a beet-red pigmentation which undergoes a color change to a bright blue-green pigmentation when it reacts with a chromate coating. If no coating is present on the aluminum surface, the liquid will react with the aluminum and the alloys contained therein to produce a beige color.

Abstract: A process of identifying and cleaning carbide entities. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, a visual indicating reacting composition is placed in a tank. An example of such a compound is a weak solution on the order to magnitude of one tenth molar or less of copper sulfate. After preparation of this bath, a large plurality of used tungsten carbide tools are dumped into the bath. Tools are allowed to sit in the bath for periods extending from five seconds to several hours depending on the strength of the bath and the thickness of the coating. When a characteristic orange color appears on a significant plurality of the tools sitting in the bath, the tank is drained of the copper sulfate solution and the tools are dumped upon a flat surface for visual inspection and segregation of the copper colored tools from the clear ones. After segregation, the copper colored tools are placed in a second bath.