Abstract: Systems and method for minimizing the impact of water vapor or other interferent analyte on analyte concentration measurements in a gas exchange measurement system. A system is includes a gas source, first and second gas analyzers coupled to first and second gas flow lines and configured to measure first and second concentrations of a target analyte in the first and second gas flow lines, respectively, a sample chamber configured to hold a water saturable sample, and a water vapor selective element and having a first and second inputs fluidly coupling the gas source to first and second sides, respectively, of the water vapor selective element, and at least one output fluidly coupling the first side of the water vapor selective element to the first and second gas flow lines and a second output coupling the second side of the water vapor selective element to the second gas flow line.

Abstract: Gas exchange analysis methods and systems utilize a water vapor buffering component including a material configured to buffer water vapor in a flow of a gas, whereby fluctuations in the water vapor content in the flow of the gas are slowed for components downstream from the water vapor buffering component. Components downstream of the water vapor buffering component may include: a first water vapor sensor configured to receive the flow of the gas from the water vapor buffering component and configured to measure a first concentration of water vapor in the gas; a sample chamber configured to receive the gas exiting the water vapor buffering component or the first water vapor sensor and to hold a sample capable of adding or removing water vapor from the gas; and a second water vapor sensor configured to measure a second concentration of water vapor in the gas exiting the sample chamber.

Abstract: Systems and method for automatically determining offset correction values in a differential measurement system, and for correcting measurement offsets between two measurement devices in the differential measurement system. A method for determining real-time offset corrections in a gas analysis system having first and second gas analyzers includes for each of a plurality of gas concentrations within a range of gas concentrations: a) supplying the concentration of gas to the first and second gas analyzers through first and second gas flow lines, respectively; b) measuring a first gas concentration value using the first gas analyzer; and c) measuring a second gas concentration value using the second gas analyzer. The method may also include determining an offset value between each corresponding first and second gas concentration value, and determining a functional relationship between the offset values and gas concentration measurements of the first gas analyzer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring gas flux are provided. The method includes obtaining one or more of wind speed data, gas content data, temperature data and humidity data over a period of time, computing a plurality of different gas flux values for said period of time using a corresponding plurality of different flux calculation algorithms, wherein each of the plurality of different flux calculation algorithms uses one, some or all of the measured data types to calculate gas flux values for one or a plurality of sub-periods of said period of time, and for each of the one or the plurality of sub-periods, determining an optimal flux calculation algorithm of the plurality of different flux calculation algorithms based on one or more quality indicators; and outputting, for each of the plurality of sub-periods, one or more optimal flux calculation values corresponding to the optimal flux calculation algorithm for the sub-period.

Abstract: Dual mode imaging systems and methods for macroscopic and microscopic imaging using the same optical imaging system (OIS). The various embodiments enable controllable and/or automated switching between macroscopic imaging and microscopic imaging modes. A dual mode imaging system includes a sample platform movable relative to an OIS between first and second locations, and a light source subsystem configured to generate and project an illumination beam onto a focal plane. When in the first location, the sample platform coincides with the focal plane, and the OIS receives light from the sample platform along a first detection light path. When in the second location, the illumination beam interacts with relay optics and impinges on the sample platform through an objective lens, and the light from the sample platform is directed back through the objective lens and relay optics to the OIS via the first detection path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring turbulent gas flux using high-speed vertical wind speed measurements (e.g., on the order of 5-10 Hz or more frequently) and low-speed gas content measurements (e.g., on the order of 5 Hz or less frequently), without the need for the sophisticated and expensive high-speed hardware to separate gas samples (e.g., into accumulation bags) according to updrafts and downdrafts. A time series of high-speed vertical wind speed data is used as a guide to distinguish between updrafts and downdrafts. When vertical wind speed is upward (updraft), the low-speed gas content is recorded into a data structure in one location, or marked with one flag. When vertical wind speed is downward (downdraft), the low-speed gas content is recorded into a different location, or marked with a different flag. Eddy Accumulation or Relaxed Eddy Accumulation computations can be performed using the stored gas content data to determine gas flux.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling optical feedback in an optical system. A resonant optical cavity includes at least two cavity mirrors, one of which is a cavity coupling mirror, and has a plurality of optical resonance cavity modes. A radiation source emits a beam of continuous wave radiation and is capable of being scanned whereby a mean optical frequency of the continuous wave radiation beam is adjustable over a range of frequencies, wherein the radiation source is responsive to optical feedback radiation emerging from the cavity, and wherein the mode matching optics couples the beam of continuous wave radiation to the cavity via the cavity coupling mirror. The radiation source and the mode matching optics are aligned so that a mode fill ratio is reduced relative to a maximum mode fill ratio, wherein the laser beam is coupled with a fundamental cavity mode.

Abstract: A multilayered microfluidic chip integrating separation channels and a common piezoelectric pump dispensing to a blotting membrane is described. A top layer with separation channels is connected with vias through a middle layer to a nozzle area in a bottom layer that has a piezoelectric pump. Because each via is very near a separate orifice in the bottom layer, the buffer fluid in the bottom layer will quickly dispense analyte emerging from the via. The analyte is pumped out of the orifice carried by the buffer fluid. A common reservoir of buffer fluid, connected with the pump membrane, is used. Electrodes may be placed near the entrance of each separation channel and share a terminating electrode in the common reservoir.

Abstract: A flat bar piezoelectric actuator affixed to a pressure chamber with one or more separation capillary tubes exiting near respective nozzle orifices is disclosed. The flat actuator against a flat wall of the pump chamber causes a relatively planar pressure wave to pass by the end of each capillary, transporting a precise amount of separated analyte from the capillary out of the nozzle orifice. The nozzle may or may not be tapered. Multiple nozzles can form an inkjet print head that ejects precise droplets of analyte and sheath fluid. The small volume of mixed sheath liquid and analyte can then be jetted through the nozzle at a moving surface, either continuously or as discrete droplets. Relative positions on the surface can indicate separation distances of dispensed analytes.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of using them are disclosed that position an end of a capillary electrophoresis tube within an internal tapered nozzle region of an inkjet print head or other microfluidic pump. The capillary electrophoresis tube can extend through an inlet of the microfluidic pump and leave space for a sheath liquid to enter the pump and mix with separated analytes eluted from the capillary electrophoresis tube. The small volume of mixed sheath liquid and analyte can then be jetted through the nozzle at a moving surface, either continuously or as discrete droplets. Relative positions on the surface can indicate separation distances of dispensed analytes.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the separation and dispensing of material using a microfluidic electrophoresis column, sheath liquid pump, and exit channel, all on the same monolithic chip. Material is separated in the electrophoresis column and passed into the exit chamber in response to a voltage potential between a first electrode within the electrophoresis column and a terminating electrode integrated into the chip. The terminating electrode can be in the sheath liquid pump chamber, the sheath liquid reservoir, or a separate flow channel that intersects the exit channel along with the electrophoresis column and sheath liquid pump chamber. The flow of sheath liquid into the exit chamber entrains separated analytes into an effluent that is dispensed out of the exit chamber via a discharge outlet.

Abstract: The present disclosure embodies compounds of Formula I, methods of use thereof, and kits thereof: that are useful in connection with the detection of analytes of all types (e.g., biological molecules such as proteins, organic molecules, natural or synthetic molecules). The disclosure is particularly applicable to detection of proteins and nucleic acids using all types of membrane-based assays by techniques such as Western blotting, Dot blotting, Southern blotting, and Northern blotting.

Abstract: A method for organ imaging, comprising: administering to a subject a diagnostic effective amount of 2-((E)-2-((E)-3-(2-((E)-3,3-dimethyl-5-sulfonato-1-(4-sulfonatobutyl)indolin-2-ylidene)ethylidene)-2-phenoxycyclohex-1-en-1-yl)vinyl)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(4-sulfonatobutyl)-3H-indol-1-ium-5-sulfonate or 2-((E)-2-((E)-3-(2-((E)-3,3-dimethyl-5-sulfonato-1-(4-sulfonatobutyl)indolin-2-ylidene)ethylidene)-2-(4-sulfonatophenoxy)cyclohex-1-en-1-yl)vinyl)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(4-sulfonatobutyl)-3H-indol-1-ium-5-sulfonate. In one embodiment, the organ includes one or more of kidney, bladder, liver, gall bladder, spleen, intestine, heart, lungs and muscle.

Abstract: An imager for simultaneously taking full color pictures and fluorescence images from the same perspectives, top-down and side views, is presented that uses multiple cameras looking at the same stage through a beamsplitter and light sources for each view. The imager is configured to work with a particular fluorophore, or at least a predetermined fluorescence excitation wavelength and emission wavelength. A broadband white light source projects through a shortpass or other filter with a cut-off wavelength either lower than or between the excitation and emission wavelengths. Another shortpass or other filter is in front of a color camera with a cut-off wavelength below that of the emission wavelength, while a monochrome fluorescence camera may or may not have additional filters to bring out the fluorescence. These filters may be built into a dichroic mirror of the beamsplitter. In addition, digital processing may boost frequencies in the color image that were dampened by the filters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically identifying and characterizing one or more lanes in image data for one or more electrophoresed samples. The method includes receiving data representing an image of one or more electrophoresed samples, segmenting the data into one or multiple data segments or portions within a region of interest (ROI), wherein the one or multiple data segments represent (e.g., when visually displayed) one or multiple lane segments along a first axis in the ROI, each of the one or multiple lane segments traversing one or multiple lanes in the image data, generating an intensity profile for at least a first data segment of the one or multiple data segments along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and processing the intensity profile to determine a location and parameters for each of one or multiple lanes in the first data segment.

Abstract: Machine-readable media and computer systems are provided for the highlighting of features in composite images through the alternating of images having complementary colors. An image having a feature of interest is used to generate one or more pseudo color images. A series of a pseudo color images and one or more additional pseudo color or original color images are then alternately displayed so that the differently colored regions among the series of images are easily recognizable to an operator. The differently colored regions differ in having hues that are complementary to one another. The methods are particularly useful for the display of information using two or more imaging modalities and channels, such as is the case for some medical applications in which a natural-light image of pink or light-red tissue with deeper red or blue vasculature is overlaid with another functional image.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the detecting and presenting of faint signals from a real-time interactive imager. A real-time view of a subject is controlled by a user by entering commands that move the subject or a camera used to record the real-time view. The rate of this movement is monitored, and when the rate descends below a preset value, a trigger is sent to the camera. In response to the trigger, the camera switches to a lower frame frequency for capturing the real-time view of the subject, thereby increasing the amount of light collected in each frame, and increasing the sensitivity of the camera to faint signals. The methods and systems are particularly relevant for surgical or biopsy imaging, in which both a higher frame rate preview image of a subject for 3D visualization, and a higher sensitivity fluorescence image of the subject for tumor margin assessment, are desired.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the highlighting of features in composite images through the alternating of images having complementary colors. An image having a feature of interest is used to generate one or more pseudo color images. A series of a pseudo color images and one or more additional pseudo color or original color images are then alternately displayed so that the differently colored regions among the series of images are easily recognizable to an operator. The differently colored regions differ in having hues that are complementary to one another. The methods are particularly useful for the display of information using two or more imaging modalities and channels, such as is the case for some medical applications in which a natural-light image of pink or light-red tissue with deeper red or blue vasculature is overlaid with another functional image.

Abstract: Methods for determining surgical margins using an imaging device are described that use multiple cameras to image a biological sample on a turntable bathed in white light or fluorescing due to a systemically administered dye. Fluorescence farther away from an excitation light source can be compensated upon determining a 3-D position of portions of the sample. The turntable is turned and tilted in order to take enough images to prepare an animation of the sample. In a graphical user interface, the animation can be stopped, zoomed, and tilted per a user's gesture, touch, tablet-tilting, or other commands. The image manipulation can be with touch gestures entered using a sterilizable or disposable touch pen.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the detecting and presenting of faint signals from a real-time interactive imager. A real-time view of a subject is controlled by a user by entering commands that move the subject or a camera used to record the real-time view. The rate of this movement is monitored, and when the rate descends below a preset value, a trigger is sent to the camera. In response to the trigger, the camera switches to a lower frame frequency for capturing the real-time view of the subject, thereby increasing the amount of light collected in each frame, and increasing the sensitivity of the camera to faint signals. The methods and systems are particularly relevant for surgical or biopsy imaging, in which both a higher frame rate preview image of a subject for 3D visualization, and a higher sensitivity fluorescence image of the subject for tumor margin assessment, are desired.