Abstract: A method is provided for protection switching in an optical network. The method may include establishing a baseline power level for a channel. The method may further include receiving a signal associated with the channel via each of a first path of the optical network and a second path of the optical network. The method may also include monitoring a power intensity of the signal received via the first path. The method may additionally include protection switching from the signal received via the first path to the signal received via the second path in response to a determination that the baseline power level exceeds the power intensity of the signal received via the first path by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method is provided for protection switching in an optical network.

Abstract: A method is provided for protection switching in an optical network. The method may include establishing a baseline power level for a channel. The method may further include receiving a signal associated with the channel via each of a first path of the optical network and a second path of the optical network. The method may also include monitoring a power intensity of the signal received via the first path. The method may additionally include protection switching from the signal received via the first path to the signal received via the second path in response to a determination that the baseline power level exceeds the power intensity of the signal received via the first path by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method is provided for protection switching in an optical network.

Abstract: The invention consists of a test device for simultaneous measurement of multiple analytes in one sample where the liquid sample is applied to a matrix at the central area of the device which is connected to multiple arms, and each of the arms contains specific reagents in dry form for measurement of a particular analyte. The sample travels from the center uniformly and quickly to the reagent site on each arm and produces a measurable signal that may be a change in electrical charge or current, fluorescence, or, preferably, color. A color change can be detected visually or measured quantitatively using a suitable reflectance meter. The sample may be a small amount of whole blood obtained e.g., from a finger puncture or it may be urine, saliva, any other bodily fluid, environmental water, or any other fluid upon which rapid, simultaneous testing of levels of different components is desired.

Abstract: Disposable test strips and a wet chemistry method for measuring each of &bgr;-hydroxybutyrate alone, combined &bgr;-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate or total ketone bodies (i.e., &bgr;-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate and acetone) in human bodily fluid samples, including but not limited to urine, saliva or sweat are described. The test strips need only be dipped in the sample and can be used by anyone in almost any milieu. Measurement can be made electrochemically, spectrophotometrically, fluorometrically or by comparision to a color standard. Combined acetoacetate and &bgr;-hydroxybutyrate which account for 97-98% of total ketone bodies and may be measured in a cyclic reaction that occurs at pH about 7.0 to about 8.3 with &bgr;-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, (&bgr;-HBD), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a tetrazolium dye precursor and an electron mediator. Using this reaction, false positive results obtained from urine samples taken from patients on sulfhydryl drugs are avoided.