Provided herein is a method of detecting an onychomycotic fungus in a sample, wherein the onychomycotic fungus belongs to a secondary clade member including one or more primary clade members. The method may include the steps of i) screening a sample using a first and second sets of secondary clade-specific primers to determine whether a secondary clade member among a plurality of secondary clade members is present or absent in the sample, where the plurality of secondary clade members includes (a) a dermatophyte, (b) a candida, and (c) a saprophyte, and ii) after determining the presence of the secondary clade member, screening the sample to determine whether an onychomycotic fungus is present or absent in the sample using primary clade-specific primers that are specific to a primary clade member that belongs to the secondary clade member. Also provided is a kit that finds use in implementing the present method.

Disclosed are methods for interrogating the physiochemical properties of a protein of interest, including method for predicting the stability of a protein at low pH, such as may be encountered during a manufacturing viral inactivation step.

Disclosed are methods for interrogating the physiochemical properties of a protein of interest, including method for predicting the stability of a protein at low pH, such as may be encountered during a manufacturing viral inactivation step.

The disclosed subject matter relates to methods for monitoring or controlling a manufacturing process of a material by determining when a variation in surface characteristics takes place. Such surface characteristics correlates to the processing condition of the material and can include density, roughness, porosity, or planarity on a surface of the material. The methods can include herein can include directing a solvent or energy on a surface of the material to form an at least partially modified surface, directing light at an incident angle with respect to the at least partially modified surface, measuring one or more predetermined properties of light reflected from the at least partially modified surface, determining that the material is fully processed based on the measured predetermined property of the light reflected, and optionally adjusting a processing parameter of the manufacturing process in response to the measured predetermined property.

An apparatus for analysis of metals is provided. The apparatus includes a molding cavity for receiving a sample of a molten metal, a gating system for allowing the molten metal to be poured, and a vent for allowing gases to escape from the apparatus when the molten metal is poured. The apparatus further includes at least one chill plate, adjacent to the molding cavity, for enabling faster cooling and solidification of the sample of the molten metal. The apparatus also includes a longitudinal slot, extending from the molding cavity, for allowing a sensor element to be introduced into the sample of the molten metal, the sensor element is a thermocouple wire that is used to monitor a cooling curve of the molten metal, while the molten metal solidifies.

An apparatus for analysis of metals is provided. The apparatus includes a molding cavity for receiving a sample of a molten metal, a gating system for allowing the molten metal to be poured, and a vent for allowing gases to escape from the apparatus when the molten metal is poured. The apparatus further includes at least one chill plate, adjacent to the molding cavity, for enabling faster cooling and solidification of the sample of the molten metal. The apparatus also includes a longitudinal slot, extending from the molding cavity, for allowing a sensor element to be introduced into the sample of the molten metal, the sensor element is a thermocouple wire that is used to monitor a cooling curve of the molten metal, while the molten metal solidifies.

An apparatus for determining the congealing point of a wax-containing sample, the sample placed within a sample flask. The apparatus includes a motor having a rotatable shaft extending horizontally therefrom; clamp for mounting the sample flask thereto, the clamp operatively connected to the rotatable shaft; and a temperature sensor for determining sample temperature over time. A method for determining the congealing point of a wax-containing sample is also provided.

An apparatus for determining the congealing point of a wax-containing sample, the sample placed within a sample flask. The apparatus includes a motor having a rotatable shaft extending horizontally therefrom; clamp for mounting the sample flask thereto, the clamp operatively connected to the rotatable shaft; and a temperature sensor for determining sample temperature over time. A method for determining the congealing point of a wax-containing sample is also provided.

A method for measuring a temperature of a fluid for use with a microfluidic analysis apparatus includes a reading step and a determination step. During the reading step, at least one diffusion signal is read, the latter representing a diffusion characteristic of the diffusion of the fluid. During the determination step, the temperature is determined using the at least one diffusion signal.

A method for measuring a temperature of a fluid for use with a microfluidic analysis apparatus includes a reading step and a determination step. During the reading step, at least one diffusion signal is read, the latter representing a diffusion characteristic of the diffusion of the fluid. During the determination step, the temperature is determined using the at least one diffusion signal.