Abstract:
An automated system for concentrating potentially harmful substances from various water types or other non-viscous liquids to facilitate detection of those substances is disclosed herein. The automated system comprises a water pressure driven or pump driven concentration unit that filters the test fluid through a hollow-fiber filter. Material collected on the filter is backflushed into a collection vessel by passing a small volume of sterile solution through the filter in the reverse direction. The automated system can be configured to be portable or to be integrated into a continuous liquid stream for online monitoring of test fluids. Optionally, an electronic signal at the end of the backflush sequence triggers a detector, such as an automated array biosensor, to begin processing and analyzing the sample.
Abstract:
A device for the detection of a peroxide-based explosive, in particular, triacetone triperoxide (TATP), which is based on a molecular controlled semiconductor resistor (MOCSER) and composed of at least one insulating or semi-insulating layer, at least one conducting semiconductor layer, two conducting pads and a layer of multifunctional organic molecules capable of adsorbing molecules of said peroxide-based explosive. Further is provided an array of semiconductor devices for the selective detection of a peroxide-based explosive, as well as a method for the selective detection of vapors of a peroxide-based explosive in a gaseous mixture using said array. The multifunctional organic molecules are from the group of cyclodextrins, thiols or alkylphosphonates with RPO (OH) 2 wherein R is an aliphatic hydrocarbyl with C6-C22.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a series of systems, devices, and methods relating to the determination of explosives, such as peroxides or peroxide precursors, and other species. Embodiments of the invention may allow a sample suspected of containing an explosive (e.g., a peroxide) or other species to interact with a reactant, wherein the sample may react and cause light emission from the reactant. Advantages of the present invention may include the simplification of devices for determination of peroxide-based explosives, wherein the devices are portable and, in some cases, disposable. Other advantages may include relative ease of fabrication and operation.
Abstract:
A method of diagnosing a capillary leak disorder in a patient includes monitoring the marinobufagenin level in blood and/or urine as indicators of vascular permeability and, if a substantial elevation in marinobufagenin exists with respect to that of a normal person, concluding that a capillary leak disorder exists. The method may be employed to diagnose preeclampsia, as well as illnesses or abnormal conditions selected from the group consisting of acute respiratory distress syndrome, hemorrhagic shock, septic, endotoxemia, septicemia, burns.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the determination of the presence of methylmalonic acid in biologic samples including the steps of methylmalonic extraction from the sample; derivatization of methylmalonic acid and use of mass spectrometry with negative mode atmospheric pressure chemical ionization to determine the presence of methylmalonic acid through the formation of an ion of mass to charge ratio (m/z) 477. An additional objective of the present invention concerns diagnosis kits for determination of presence and quantification of methylmalonic acid based on the method mentioned before.
Abstract:
The present invention provides in one aspect polymeric luminescent dye compounds having fluorescent properties, phosphorescent properties, or both fluorescent and phosphorescent properties.
Abstract:
A sampling device for analysis of a substance which is chosen from the group consisting of isocyanates, aminoisocyanates, amines, and isothiocyanates, and which is present in an air flow intended to pass through the sampling device is disclosed, as well as a method for the production of said sampling device, and a method for the analysis of said substance in the air flow.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for amplifying the detected signal in a gas sensor. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for increasing the concentration of the gas which is being detected in a sample or increasing the concentration of a gas which is directly obtained from the gas in the sample by chemical reaction. The gas which is to be detected is nitric oxide (NO). In particular, the method concerns the selective conversion of NO to NO2 which allows a threefold amplification of the number of analyte molecules in NO trace gas analysis in a single amplification cycle. Subsequent reduction or thermal decomposition of the obtained NO2 can provide NO again, which can again be introduced in a new amplification cycle. Multiple (n) amplification cycles can provide a sensitivity amplification by a factor 3 n . The method can be combined with a multitude of detection methods and tolerates a high humidity. The method is therefore of general use in the analysis of NO from a variety of sources.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to articles and methods involving luminescent films which may be useful in various applications. Luminescent films of the present invention may comprise a layer of metal oxide nanoparticles and, in some cases, may interact with an analyte to generate a detectable signal, whereby the presence and/or amount of analyte can be determined. In some embodiments, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) may occur between the luminescent film and the analyte. Such articles and methods may be useful in, for example, biological assays or in sensors.
Abstract:
An ion mobility spectrometer has a drift chamber (1) with an inlet (2) at one end by which a gas or vapour being analysed is supplied to the chamber. After ionization, molecules are admitted through a gate 8 and flow along a drift region (9) to a collector plate (11). A drift gas is flowed through the drift region against the flow of ionized molecules and is circulated along a flow path (31, 32, 40) and (30), which includes a chamber (50) including a dopant. The dopant is 2,4-pentanedione, which has been found to enhance the detection of a number of compounds especially toxic industrial chemicals and nitrogen compounds, such as those present in the breath of mammals.