Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing detection of optical signals indicating the presence of an analyte of interest in a blood sample are described. In one aspect, a blood culture test vial having a sensor is inoculated with the blood sample, light at an excitation frequency of the sensor is transmitted to the test vial, an intensity of a plurality of fluorescence signals emitted from the test vial is measured, and the plurality of measured fluorescence signals are normalized using by a reference signal that is not dependent on a measured intensity of a fluorescence signal emitted from the test vial. In another aspect, a measurement system measures fluorescence signals from one or more reference vials performing in extreme pH conditions. Fluorescence signals emitted from test vials inoculated with samples under test are measured and compared to the signals measured from the one or more reference vials to address or mitigate variability in hardware components of the measurement system.

Abstract: The present invention in a preferred embodiment provides an apparatus and method of utilization there of of a fore and aft adjustable vehicle seat headrest. The headrest includes a base providing means of attachment of the headrest to said vehicle seat. A frame is connected with the base. A cushion support with an attached shaft is slidably mounted with the frame for fore and aft movement. The shaft has a series of unidirectional cam slots. A spring biases the cushion support to a rearward position with respect to the frame. Levers pivotally connected with the frame engage with the shaft slots to set the position of the headrest. Release means are provided to remove the levers and retain the levers from reengagement with the slots upon extreme forward movement of the cushion support thereby allowing the spring to return the cushion support to an extreme rearward position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing permanent pipe sections in a foam-backed material that utilizes two rotating members which cooperate to form alternate ridges and valleys in the material after which the valley portions are bonded to a backing sheet so as to maintain the pipe sections in the material.