A method of making modified carbon materials for use in fabricating fuel cell components. The modified carbon may comprise pendant fluorocarbon groups bonded covalently bonded thereto. In one embodiment, a mixture is formed and comprises carbon material suitable for use in a fuel cell component, an organic solvent, a compound having the general formula I—R wherein R is a fluorocarbon, and a reductant.

The present invention relates to the field of cardiology. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions for inducing proliferation of cardiomyocytes. In a specific embodiment, a method for inducing proliferation of cardiomyocytes comprises the step of administering an effective amount of an ALMS1 inhibitor.

A composition comprising an SL0101 [kaempferol 3-O-(3″,4″-di-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside)] derivative compound that has enhanced ability to inhibit RSK activity, relative to the parent compound is provided. The compounds have utility for treating any disease or conditions characterized or associated with excess or undesirable RSK activity. For example the RSK inhibitors of the present invention can be used to reduce the proliferation of neoplastic cells or for inhibiting the establishment or maintenance of an intracellular pathogenic infection by pathogens whose pathogenicity derives in part from the pathogen's ability to impede endosomal/phagosomal maturation in the host cell.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and compositions for functionalizing molecules, such as oligonucleotides, with functional groups, including polyhistidine tags useful in affinity methods. Some embodiments include methods for modifying and purifying complex mixtures of molecules by exchange of functional tags.

Non-ionic water-soluble cellulose ethers modified with 3-azido-2-hydroxypropyl groups bound via an ether link are provided having a molar degree of substitution MSAHP in the range from 0.001 to 0.50. Exemplary cellulose ethers are alkyl celluloses, including methyl, hydroxyalkyl (e.g. hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl) or alkylhydroxyalkyl cellulose (e.g. methylhydroxyethyl). Reaction products with alkyne compounds are also provided, resulting in a terminal alkyne group. The reaction of azide with the alkyne proceeds as a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, advantageously with Cu(I) or ruthenium catalysts. A multiplicity of cellulose ethers can be obtained from the conversion reaction. Variations in the macroscopic properties can be achieved by controlled modification, ranging from increased or reduced viscosity. The reaction, taking place within a few seconds, requires only minimal catalyst. Gel formation is reversible by adjustment of the pH such that a monophasic system (high-viscous fluid) arises again from a biphasic system (gel+low-viscous water phase).

Power consumption in a microprocessor platform is managed by setting a peak power level for power consumed by a multi-core microprocessor platform executing multi-threaded applications. The multi-core microprocessor platform contains a plurality of physical cores, and each physical core is configurable into a plurality of logical cores. A simultaneous multithreading level in at least one physical core is adjusted by changing the number of logical cores on that physical core in response to a power consumption level of the multi-core microprocessor platform exceeding the peak power level. Performance and power data based on simultaneous multi-threading levels are used in selecting the physical core to be adjusted.

Techniques for implementing identification and management of unsafe optimizations are disclosed. A method of the disclosure includes receiving, by a managed runtime environment (MRE) executed by a processing device, a notice of misprediction of optimized code, the misprediction occurring during a runtime of the optimized code, determining, by the MRE, whether a local misprediction counter (LMC) associated with a code region of the optimized code causing the misprediction exceeds a local misprediction threshold (LMT) value, and when the LMC exceeds the LMT value, compiling, by the MRE, native code of the optimized code to generate a new version of the optimized code, wherein the code region in the new version of the optimized code is not optimized.

A system, methods and server for monitoring health and safety of individuals in a population and sending alert notifications when exceptions are detected include comparing biometric data obtained from the individuals to a biometric model generated for the individual through computer-learning methods. Biometric data may be gathered by wireless biometric sensor devices which transmit biometric data to receiver devices, which relay the biometric data to a server. The biometric model may be maintained in the server and include nominal and threshold biometric parameters for each individual based on biometric sensor data gathered or analyzed over a period of time. An alert may be issued by the server when an individual's biometric data is outside a threshold in the biometric model. The transmitted alert may depend upon the nature of the exception, user settings and past notification experience. Alerts may be escalated when not answered within defined durations.

An integrated passive wireless chip diagnostic sensor system is described that can be interrogated remotely with a wireless device such as a modified cell phone incorporating multi-protocol RFID reader capabilities (such as the emerging Gen-2 standard) or Bluetooth, providing universal easy to use, low cost and immediate quantitative analyses, geolocation and sensor networking capabilities to users of the technology. The present invention can be integrated into various diagnostic platforms and is applicable for use with low power sensors such as thin films, MEMS, electrochemical, thermal, resistive, nano or microfluidic sensor technologies. Applications of the present invention include on-the-spot medical and self-diagnostics on smart skin patches, Point-of-Care (POC) analyses, food diagnostics, pathogen detection, disease-specific wireless biomarker detection, remote structural stresses detection and sensor networks for industrial or Homeland Security using low cost wireless devices such as modified cell phones.

Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating cardiovascular treatment options for a patient. One method includes creating a three-dimensional model representing a portion of the patient's heart based on patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart or vasculature; and for a plurality of treatment options for the patient's heart or vasculature, modifying at least one of the three-dimensional model and a reduced order model based on the three-dimensional model. The method also includes determining, for each of the plurality of treatment options, a value of a blood flow characteristic, by solving at least one of the modified three-dimensional model and the modified reduced order model; and identifying one of the plurality of treatment options that solves a function of at least one of: the determined blood flow characteristics of the patient's heart or vasculature, and one or more costs of each of the plurality of treatment options.

The present application provides Ag/AgCl based reference electrodes having an extended lifetime that are suitable for use in long term amperometric sensors. Electrochemical sensors equipped with reference electrodes described herein demonstrate considerable stability and extended lifetime in a variety of conditions.

A chemically amplified resist composition comprising a base polymer and an amine quencher in the form of a β-alanine, γ-aminobutyric acid, 5-aminovaleric acid, 6-aminocaproic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid. 8-aminooctanoic acid or 9-aminononanoic acid derivative having an unsubstituted carboxyl group has a high contrast of alkaline dissolution in rate before and after exposure and forms a pattern of good profile at a high resolution, minimal roughness and wide DOF.

The invention relates to the production of 2-octylacrylate of high purity and in good yield using ethyl titanate in solution in 2-octanol or 2-octyl titanate as a transesterification catalyst.

The present invention relates to a covalently organo-modified LDH (LDH/APTES) was found to be an efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for C—C bond forming reactions (i.e. Aldol condensation, Knoevenagel condensation, Henry reaction, Michael addition). More particularly, this catalyst shows consistent activity for several cycles in C—C bond forming reaction. These catalysts were successfully characterized by XRD, FT-IR, 29Si CP MAS NMR.

Chiral amino compounds, methods of preparation and uses thereof. Tamiflu can be obtained from the said compounds. Multi-substituted chiral tetrahydropyrrolyl amine which can be used as intermediate compounds of medicament can also be produced by the said compounds.

A surface modifying composition comprises an amphiphilic compound which is non-cellulose based, the amphiphilic compound including a covalently linked ionic moiety with the following formula: where M=metal oxide or binary metal oxide, Ai is selected from compounds with surface energy greater than or equal to 25 dynes cm−1, A2 is selected from compounds with surface energy greater than or equal to 12 dynes cm−1, A3 is selected from compounds having more than one reactive functional group, x=NH2, NHR' or NR'2 (R'=methyl, ethyl, propyl or isopropyl), y=COOH, SO3H or PO3H, and R=H or halogen; and where one of the A1-x, A2, or A3-y may be replaced by a second O—R.

A modified polysiloxane compound is represented by following Formula (1), in which R1 to R9 represent hydrocarbon groups selected from linear alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, branched chain alkyl groups having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and cyclic alkyl groups having 3 to 6 carbon atoms; p and q represent average numbers of siloxane units indicated in parentheses, where p is a number of 1 or more and q is a number of 2 or more; and “A” represents a group selected from a group represented by following Formula (2), a group represented by following Formula (3), and hydrogen atom. The modified polysiloxane compound has at least a siloxane unit wherein “A” is the group represented by following Formula (2), and a siloxane unit wherein “A” is the group represented by following Formula (3).

A dual end glycerol (meth)acrylate-modified silicone having formula (I): R1Me2SiO(R22SiO)aSiMe2R1 is novel. R1 is a mixture of 70-95 mol % of a group having formula (i) and 30-5 mol % of a group having formula (ii) wherein R3 is H or methyl, R2 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group which may be halogenated, Me stands for methyl, and a is an integer of 10-300.

Disclosed is a process to produce a dry purified carboxylic acid product comprising furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The process comprises oxidizing at least one oxidizable compound selected from the following group: 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF), 5-HMF esters (5-R(CO)OCH2-furfural were R alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), 5-HMF ethers (5-R'OCH2-furfural, where R'=alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), 5-alkyl furfurals (5-R″-furfural, where R″=alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF esters and mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF ethers and mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-alkyl furfurals to generate a crude carboxylic acid slurry comprising FDCA.

A process for the manufacture of dialkyl furan-2,5-dicarboxylate (DAFD) vapor composition by feeding furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (“FDCA”) to an esterification reactor and in the presence of an alcohol compound such as methanol, conducting an esterification reaction to form an esterification vapor containing DAFD, unreacted alcohol compound, 5-(alkoxycarbonyl)furan-2-carboxylic acid (ACFC), and water, and continuously passing the esterification vapor through an ACFC condensing zone, that can be integral with the esterification reactor, in which at least a portion of the ACFC in the esterification vapor is converted to a liquid phase condensate, and continuously discharging the esterification vapor from the ACFC condensing zone as a DAFD vapor. There is also a DAFD vapor composition containing DAFD, water, unreacted alcohol, and by-products.

Disclosed are methods of purifying the compound (20R)-2-methylene-19-nor-24-difluoro-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to obtain the compound in crystalline form. The methods typically include the steps of dissolving a product containing the compound in a solvent comprising hexane and 2-propanol, cooling the solvent and dissolved product below ambient temperature for a sufficient amount of time to form a precipitate of crystals, and recovering the crystals.

Methods for the synthesis and purification of 9-amino alkyl tetracycline compounds are described.

Disclosed are methods of purifying the compound (20R)-19-nor-24-difluoro-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to obtain the compound in crystalline form. The methods typically include the steps of dissolving a product containing the compound in a solvent comprising hexane and 2-propanol, cooling the solvent and dissolved product below ambient temperature for a sufficient amount of time to form a precipitate of crystals, and recovering the crystals.

Compounds which are trehalose-6-phosphate or trehalose-6-phosphonate precursors of formula (I) or agriculturally acceptable salts thereof are provided: (I) The compounds are useful in increasing starch production in plants.

The present invention relates to new antifungal compositions and their use in the treatment of agricultural products.

Meter electronics (20) for quantifying a fluid being transferred is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) configured to communicate with a flowmeter assembly of a vibratory flowmeter and receive a vibrational response and a processing system (203) coupled to the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to measure a volume flow and a density for a predetermined time portion of the fluid transfer, determine if the fluid transfer is non-aerated during the predetermined time portion, if the predetermined time portion is non-aerated then add a volume-density product to an accumulated volume-density product and add the volume flow to an accumulated volume flow, and determine a non-aerated volume-weighted density for the fluid transfer by dividing the accumulated volume-density product by the accumulated volume flow.

Described herein is a system and method for detecting underutilized capacity within a storage system environment. The technique comprises collecting performance data of various storage objects within a storage system environment for various performance measures at designated time intervals. The collected performance data may be formatted and stored to a database. One or more parameters may be received specifying at least one performance measure, at least one threshold value, and/or at least one time period. The performance data for target storage objects may be analyzed according to the received parameters to determine any underutilized storage objects. A report may be generated according to the parameters listing the storage objects and address locations of any underutilized storage objects. The report may comprise various information corresponding to the underutilized storage object, such as the business units, tiers, data centers, and levels of service they are associated with.

Medical devices having a wettable, biocompatible surface are described herein. Processes for producing such devices are also described.

A method of treating a surface of a substrate using modified urushiol derived from Toxicodendron vernicifluum is provided. More particularly, the reactivity of a hydroxyl group of urushiol extracted from fresh Toxicodendron vernicifluum is removed before the lacquer is used as a UV coating agent for a substrate such as a steel sheet. Therefore, the substrate may have high antibacterial activity, and excellent appearance and functionalities such as far-infrared radiation, blocking of electromagnetic waves, enhanced corrosion resistance, high crosslinking speed when a low content of a photoinitiator is used, excellent surface gloss and high scratch resistance.

A centrifuge concentrator bowl has feed deposited onto a base of the bowl and includes a plurality of recesses at axially spaced positions along a peripheral wall of the bowl. The peripheral wall is formed of a rigid metal skeleton frame of rings and upstanding support members on which is molded a urethane liner material to form an integral structure with the rings located at ribs between the recesses. A fluidization water injection system includes an outer container on the bowl, which also acts as a clamping assembly and a plurality of liquid entry openings through the peripheral wall at the base of the recesses allowing flexing of the peripheral wall in response to changes in pressure in the fluidizing liquid. The bowl is formed of separate sections defined by a bottom concave base section and the cast skeleton wall all clamped together to allow replacement of the separate parts.

A centrifugal separator comprising: a driving portion; and a swing rotor including, a rotor body, a through-hole passing through the rotor body, pin insert grooves which are provided parallel to the through-hole so as to oppose each other and only partially penetrate the rotor body, and a bucket including, a bucket body that has a contact surface which is configured to contact the rotor body during centrifugal separation, and a cap assembly that seals the bucket body and has a swing shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to an longitudinal direction of the bucket, wherein the swing rotor is rotated when the bucket is inserted into the through-hole, to swing the bucket, and the swing shaft can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the bucket relative to the bucket body and rotated about a longitudinal central axis of the bucket.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

A centrifuge, including: a flange closing off one axial end of a separation chamber; a plurality of apertures that traverse axially through the flange at a radial distance from a flange axis, wherein at least one aperture is in fluid communication with a first outlet passage; a plurality of weir inserts removably disposed within the plurality of apertures to control a flow of one or more fluids from the separation chamber; wherein at least one weir insert disposed within the at least one aperture in fluid communication with the first outlet passage is changeable to prevent or allow fluid communication between the separation chamber and the first outlet passage.

A centrifuge includes a vacuum pump machine configured of an auxiliary vacuum pump and an oil diffusion pump for exhausting gas inside a rotary chamber to outside, in which a rotor rotates at high speed. In the centrifuge, a thermistor for detecting a temperature of oil and an oil surface inside a boiler of the oil diffusion pump is provided inside the boiler, and power of a heater is adjusted with the temperature detected by the thermistor, so that a degree of vacuum inside the rotary chamber is stably reduced from atmospheric pressure to a high vacuum state. Besides, when the heater does not heat, a current is carried through the thermistor for self-heating, and it is determined from variation in a resistance value whether the oil exists or not at a position at which the thermistor 8 is placed.

Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.

The invention relates to a cartridge (1) for accommodating blood bags (35), which is provided for the separation of blood components for the application in a centrifuge. The cartridge (1) has a partition wall (3) which separates a blood bag section (5) positioned radially inside from a product section (7) positioned radially outside, and a cover (9) disposed in a mounting position above the blood bag section (5). The cover (9) is connected to the partition wall (3) pivotally in a first point (11) and detachably in a second point (13), so that the blood bag section (5) is freely accessible by means of laterally pivoting the cover (9) out of the way. The cartridge is applicable in the rotor of a centrifuge.

The spinning disc centrifuge rotor includes a sample holder formed from a cylindrical disc body and a cover plate that are made from a transparent material, such as polycarbonate. The disc-shaped body has two concentric or coaxial recesses defined therein. The first recess forms a cylindrical well or sample chamber for receiving a generally cylindrical rock sample. The second recess has a larger diameter than the first recess, and is shallower, forming a fluid collection area above the sample well, the second recess forming an annular ring extending around the top edge or rim of the sample well. An O-ring snugly within the outer wall of the second recess and forms a seal between the cover plate and the floor of the second recess, preventing fluid leakage. A rotor shaft extends from the bottom face of the cylindrical disc.

A method for controlling a centrifuge blood component separation system for separating components of a blood product, the separation system comprising a centrifuge and a separation bag and at least one transfer bag. The method comprises selecting a nominal hematocrit value such that an actual hematocrit value is expected to be less than said nominal hematocrit; centrifuging a separation bag containing a volume of composite liquid so as to cause the sedimentation of at least a first component and a second component; transferring some of the first component to a first transfer bag; detecting time of passage of a red blood cell interface at a pre-selected location in the separation bag; and adjusting a predicted processing time based on the time of passage of the red blood cell interface.

A system for purifying non-potable water to make said water potable includes an intake pump for bringing the non-potable water into the system. At least one centrifugal separator separates the non-potable water into suspended solids, saline water and oil. At least one ozone contact chamber injects ozone into a water stream being injected into at least one of the at least one of the centrifugal separators. A series of progressive filtration components are used for progressively filtering the saline water from the at least one centrifugal separator. The salinization filters then desalinate the progressively filtered saline water.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus to identify at least one component from a plurality of components in a fluid mixture, the apparatus including a first input channel into which a first flow containing a plurality of components is introduced; a plurality of buffer input channels, into which additional flows of buffer solution are introduced, disposed on either side of the first input channel; wherein the first flow and the additional flows have a flow direction along a length of the apparatus; a detector apparatus which detects and identifies selected components of the plurality of components; a laser which emits a laser beam which damages or kills selected components of the plurality of components; and at least one channel disposed at the another end of the apparatus which is adapted to receive the first flow and the additional flows after operation of the laser on the selected components.

The invention refers to a centrifuge for separating whole blood into its blood components and a method for extracting a highly enriched thrombocyte concentrate out of whole blood. For this purpose, the centrifuge comprises a closed loop and/or open-loop control unit as well as a drive unit coupled to the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit, a rotor (12) having at least two container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16) for removably holding containers (18, 20, 22, 24) being in fluid communication with each other, at least one sensor arranged between the container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b) and coupled with the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit for detecting a separation layer. Herein, a motor/gear unit (30a, 30b, 32a, 32b) coupled to the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit is associated with each of the container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b). Each of the motor/gear units is in operational contact through means (34) with each of the containers (18, 20, 22, 24) supported in the respective container receptacle (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b) such that a transfer and back-transfer of blood components between the containers (18, 20, 22, 24) is initiated.

The invention is a method of processing tarry or resinous liquids. Tarry liquids include wet scrubber liquids containing tars and chars derived from gasification, pyrolysis or drying of biomass. Resinous liquids include those derived from processing coniferous biomass. Tarry or resinous liquid is processed by a horizontal axis centrifuge having a discharge chamber containing a scraper to prevent centrifuge clogging or fouling. The removed tar and char can be used as solid fuel or recycled to the gasification or pyrolysis process. Polymers, for instance cationic polymers, can be added to the tarry or resin containing liquid prior to centrifugation to assist in solids/liquids separation. Removed resin can be recycled for further use. Tar, char or resin depleted wet scrubber liquid can be recycled for further use or more easily treated prior to disposal.

A dual feed centrifuge system for separating solids from fluids in a drilling mud, the centrifuge system including: a bowl; a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the bowl; a first feed pipe mounted within the screw conveyor for feeding a drilling mud through a first feed port in a wall of the screw conveyor to a first annular space between the bowl and the wall of the screw conveyor; and a second feed pipe mounted within the screw conveyor for feeding a drilling mud through a second feed port in the wall of the screw conveyor to a second annular space between the bowl and the wall of the screw conveyor. The multiple feed ports may allow the centrifuge to operate more efficiently with both weighted and unweighted drilling fluids.

The invention is a decanter centrifuge for separating a first substance and a second substance with different densities, comprising a bowl rotating in use around a horizontal axis of rotation in a direction of rotation, said axis of rotation extending in a longitudinal direction of said bowl, a radial direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a base plate provided at one longitudinal end of said bowl, said base plate having an internal side and an external side, an outlet opening provided in said base plate for discharge of one of said substances. A slide valve body is adapted for covering an adjustable part of the outlet opening to delimit an effective area of the outlet opening.

The present invention relates to a centrifuge and a method for cooling a centrifuge. The centrifuge according to the invention includes a cooling device which is improved in that its required installation space is reduced such that the centrifuge can be of a more compact design with the centrifugation capacity remaining unchanged, or the centrifugation capacity can be increased with the installation space remaining unchanged. Further, the number of components can be reduced and thus cost and assembly time can be saved.

Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.

A hand-cranked centrifuge is adapted for use in isolating autologous fat in injectible from. A number of syringes are hingeably coupled to a flywheel of the centrifuge. As the centrifuge turns, the syringe(s), which are supported at one end, move into a horizontal orientation and are centrifuged until the fats get separated from other liquids present in the syringes. A number of syringes, syringe holders and related devices are disclosed to accommodate centrifugation.

A cartridge (1) for accommodating blood bags (35) to be inserted into a centrifuge is used for the separation of blood components. Said cartridge (1) is provided with a partition wall (3) which separates a blood bag section (5) positioned radially inside from a product section (7) positioned radially outside, wherein a fixture (29) for a filter (31) is provided in the product section (7), a product transport path (36) which leads from the blood bag section (5) via the fixture (29) for the filter (31) to the product section (7). The product transport path (36) coming from the blood bag section (5) leads into the fixture (29) for the filter (31) radially from the outside and from below.

A continuous centrifuge includes: a cylindrical rotor configured to separate a specimen; a centrifuging chamber accommodating the rotor; a driving unit configured to rotate the rotor; a specimen line configured to continuously supply and discharge the specimen to and from the rotor during rotation of the rotor; and a controller configured to control the driving unit. The control unit has a cleansing mode which flows a liquid chemical through the specimen line so as to conduct sterilization and/or cleansing while rotating the rotor.

An apparatus and method to identify at least one component from a plurality of components in a fluid mixture, includes a first input channel containing the fluid mixture of components; at least one buffer input channel, into which at least one additional flow of buffer solution is introduced; a plurality of regions disposed at the other end of the apparatus, which are adapted to receive outputs of at least one selected component of the plurality of components, the selected component which is selectively removed from the first flow to one of the regions; a waste channel through which unselected components are removed from the first flow; a plurality of pumps connected to at least one reservoir, to control flow rates of the first flow and the additional flow(s); and a computer which controls a selection of one of the plurality of components from the fluid mixture.