An object is to measure absorbance of aqueous cosmetic materials that have not heretofore been studied for absorbance measurement, and particularly to form a uniform layer of thin film in order to ensure accurate measurement without causing these aqueous cosmetic materials, which are O/W emulsions, to undergo phase separation during measurement. As a means for achieving the foregoing, an absorbance measurement method is provided, wherein an absorbent aqueous composition is applied on the surface of a substrate, which surface has been plasma treated, arc-discharge treated, or corona-discharge treated, to achieve a contact angle with pure water of 0 to 70.0 degrees, and the applied absorbent aqueous composition is measured for absorbance.

A method comprises: aspirating a sample through a needle capillary into a chamber having first and second windows, the capillary and chamber both affixed to a moveable robotic arm; causing a light beam generated by a light source that is affixed to the robotic arm to pass through the sample between the windows; detecting, using a photodetector that is affixed to the robotic arm, a quantity of the light that passes through the sample and the windows; determining an optical absorbance of the sample and a concentration of an analyte in the sample from the detected quantity of light; determining a quantity of the sample to dispense into an analytical apparatus based on the determined concentration; moving the robotic arm so as to cause the needle capillary to mate with an inlet port of an analytical apparatus; and dispensing the determined quantity of the sample into the analytical apparatus.

A high harmonic radiation source and associated method of generating high harmonic radiation is disclosed. The high harmonic radiation source is configured to condition a gas medium by irradiating the gas medium with a pre-pulse of radiation, thereby generating a plasma comprising a pre-pulse plasma distribution; and irradiate the gas medium with a main pulse of radiation to generate said high harmonic radiation. The conditioning step is such that the plasma comprising a pre-pulse plasma distribution acts to configure a wavefront of said main pulse to improve one or both of: the efficiency of the high harmonic generation process and the beam quality of the high harmonic radiation. The high harmonic radiation source further may comprise a beam shaping device configured to shape said customized pre-pulse prior to said conditioning.

A high harmonic radiation source and associated method of generating high harmonic radiation is disclosed. The high harmonic radiation source is configured to condition a gas medium by irradiating the gas medium with a pre-pulse of radiation, thereby generating a plasma comprising a pre-pulse plasma distribution; and irradiate the gas medium with a main pulse of radiation to generate said high harmonic radiation. The conditioning step is such that the plasma comprising a pre-pulse plasma distribution acts to configure a wavefront of said main pulse to improve one or both of: the efficiency of the high harmonic generation process and the beam quality of the high harmonic radiation. The high harmonic radiation source further may comprise a beam shaping device configured to shape said customized pre-pulse prior to said conditioning.

The present disclosure relates to high-throughput screening methods for identifying one or more chromatography operational parameters (e.g., binding parameters) and/or reagents for purifying EVs (e.g., exosomes) from a sample using chromatography. Also disclosed herein are methods for improving one or more aspects of EV (e.g., exosome) purification, e.g., improving EV yield, increasing EV ligand density, and/or reducing impurity recovery.

Systems and methods for detecting Δ.sup.9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ.sup.9-THC) are described. In many embodiments, the detection of Δ.sup.9-THC can be achieved by oxidizing Δ.sup.9-THC to corresponding oxidized products. The oxidation of Δ.sup.9-THC can be achieved chemically or electrochemically. The oxidized products of Δ.sup.9-THC can exhibit different photophysical and electrochemical properties compared to Δ.sup.9-THC. Many embodiments implement integrating Δ.sup.9-THC detection into a multimodal marijuana breathalyzer device.

Systems and methods for detecting Δ.sup.9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ.sup.9-THC) are described. In many embodiments, the detection of Δ.sup.9-THC can be achieved by oxidizing Δ.sup.9-THC to corresponding oxidized products. The oxidation of Δ.sup.9-THC can be achieved chemically or electrochemically. The oxidized products of Δ.sup.9-THC can exhibit different photophysical and electrochemical properties compared to Δ.sup.9-THC. Many embodiments implement integrating Δ.sup.9-THC detection into a multimodal marijuana breathalyzer device.

The present invention relates to an analytical method that includes providing a sample potentially containing a chiral analyte that can exist in stereoisomeric forms, and providing a probe selected from the group consisting of coumarin-derived Michael acceptors, dinitrofluoroarenes and analogs thereof, arylsulfonyl chlorides and analogs thereof, arylchlorophosphines and analogs thereof, aryl halophosphites, and halodiazaphosphites. The sample is contacted with the probe under conditions to permit covalent binding of the probe to the analyte, if present in the sample; and, based on any binding that occurs, the absolute configuration of the analyte in the sample, and/or the concentration of the analyte in the sample, and/or the enantiomeric composition of the analyte in the sample is/are determined. The probe may be a coumarin-derived Michael acceptor, a di nitrofluoroarene or analog thereof, an arylsulfonyl chloride or analog thereof, an arylchlorophosphine or analog thereof, an aryl halophosphite, or a halodiazaphosphite.

The present invention relates to an analytical method that includes providing a sample potentially containing a chiral analyte that can exist in stereoisomeric forms, and providing a probe selected from the group consisting of coumarin-derived Michael acceptors, dinitrofluoroarenes and analogs thereof, arylsulfonyl chlorides and analogs thereof, arylchlorophosphines and analogs thereof, aryl halophosphites, and halodiazaphosphites. The sample is contacted with the probe under conditions to permit covalent binding of the probe to the analyte, if present in the sample; and, based on any binding that occurs, the absolute configuration of the analyte in the sample, and/or the concentration of the analyte in the sample, and/or the enantiomeric composition of the analyte in the sample is/are determined. The probe may be a coumarin-derived Michael acceptor, a di nitrofluoroarene or analog thereof, an arylsulfonyl chloride or analog thereof, an arylchlorophosphine or analog thereof, an aryl halophosphite, or a halodiazaphosphite.

An EUV reflectometer includes a radiation source, a beam shaping unit (130) generating a measurement beam (190) from the radiation; a positioning device (500) for holding and positioning a test object (110) relative to the measurement beam in plural degrees of freedom; and a detector that detects the EUV radiation reflected by the test object. The positioning device has a main carrier (520), which is rotatable about a vertical rotation axis and on which a parallel kinematic multi-axis system (530) having a multiplicity of actuators is arranged. A common platform (540) movable in three linear and three rotational degrees of freedom carries a holding device (550) for holding the test object and a rotary drive for rotating the holding device about a rotation axis. An associated measuring system (700) determines the location and position of the test object in space and/or in relation to the measurement beam.