Abstract: An analog signal is sampled; a reference signal synchronized to the sampling is generated; the sampling result is compared to said reference signal; the time interval from the sampling point to the time the comparison result satisfies the prescribed condition is acquired; and the amplitude of the digital representation is determined from the acquired time interval and knowledge of the reference signal.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for conducting chemical or biochemical reactions on a solid surface within an enclosed chamber. The invention may be used in conducting hybridization reactions, as of biopolymers such as DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides, peptides, polypeptides, proteins, antibodies, and the like. In another aspect, the invention provides an improved method for mixing a thin film of solution, as in a hybridization chamber. The invention further provides a kit for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Abstract: An exponential signal generator having a memory, a scale unit and an adder. A value stored in the memory is scaled and added to itself to produce a new value for storing in the memory. The exponential signal is represented by the exponential value.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for producing a metric to characterize a chemical array. Effects of terms impacting results of measurement of an output generated from analysis of the array or a procedure performed using the array, are quantified by performing ANOVA analysis and calculating sums of squares quantities attributable to each of the terms respectively. A metric is derived from at least two of the calculated sum of squares quantities. Methods systems and computer readable media for characterizing one or more chemical arrays may perform the steps of querying a database storing sums of squares quantities quantifying effects of terms impacting results of measurements of outputs generated from a plurality of chemical arrays; selecting sums of squares quantities based on the querying; and generating a metric based on the at least two sums of squares quantities.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for micro array fabrication exclusive from the impact of a gas. A housing with a gas free chamber provides for improved micro array fabrication with a lower defect rate. The invention provides a housing that excludes a gas such as ozone to prevent interaction with probe construction or attachment. A method of fabricating a micro array in an ozone free environment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A Vector Network Analyzer is equipped with receivers for measuring a1, b1, a2 and b2 and which can each be tuned to track either the RF signal (F1) applied to the FTD or to the IF (F2) produced by the FTD. Additional forward side and reverse side mixers are provided and are driven by the auxiliary LO for the FTD. The additional mixers can be located in the RF/IF path, such that there is a sequential double conversion of the RF/IF: one by the auxiliary LO followed by another conversion of those results by the main LO. The additional mixers could also be located it the LO path, such that the main LO is first converted to an image involving the auxiliary LO, and the RF/IF is then subsequently converted using that image as an ‘artificial’ LO. During a forward direction measurement of an FTD, the applied RF signal (F1) is converted to the IF with the additional forward side mixers that feeds the receivers for a1 and b1.

Abstract: Discovery of DDJ within measured Total Jitter (TJ) begins with a suitably long digital Test Pattern, from which an Acquisition Record is made. A Time Interval Error/Voltage Error Record is made of the Acquisition Record. A Template defines a collection of associated bit value or transitions that are nearby or otherwise related to a bit location of interest, and through the applied test pattern produces a sequence of Data Symbols. The TIE/VLE Record is examined, and a parameter is measured for each Data Symbol as it occurs in the Test Pattern. A regression technique may be use to find coefficients for a DDJ Calculator whose inputs are the Data Symbols and whose output is respective values of DDJ. Subsequent separation of DDJ from TJ is possible because DDJ is correlated with the Data Symbols, while Periodic Jitter (PJ) and Random Jitter (RJ) can be expected to average to near zero over a sufficient number of instances of a given Data Symbol.

Abstract: The overexpression of certain marker genes including Wnt5a has been found useful in the identification of more aggressive forms of malignant melanoma. Therefore, the overexpression of these genes in tumor samples of malignant melanoma may be useful in the diagnosis, profiling, and treatment of patients suffering from this disease. Inhibitors of Wnt5a activity may be useful in the treatment of aggressive forms of malignant melanoma. Inhibition of Wnt5a activity may be effected by any method including anti-sense therapy, gene therapy, and pharmaceutical intervention.

Abstract: Directing an input light beam into a laser diode operated at a power below that required for lasing stimulates emissions, resulting in an amplified output beam. A dynamic steering system can focus the input beam onto front face of the laser diode. The steering system optionally includes an optical element mounted solely on piezoelectric actuators. Control signals for the actuators in the steering system control a base position and cause alternating movements of the optical element. A detector measuring optical power leaking from a back face of the laser diode can determine the power of the amplified beam that exits from the front face, and derivatives of the measured power with respect to the alternating movements indicate required adjustments of the base position. A polarizing beam splitter and quarter-wave plate in the path of beams can separate the input and amplified beams.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for performing an assay on chemical, biochemical, or biological fluids. The apparatus includes an assay chamber for fluid reactions and a centrifugal force activated-valve for controlling fluid movement through the assay chamber. An active surface can be positioned in the assay chamber to react with fluids passed through the assay chamber. The active surface may contain biomolecular probes. The biomolecular probes can be DNA, DNA fragments, RNA, RNA fragments, reagents, protein, protein fragments, lipids, and lipid fragments. The apparatus is particularly useful when multiple reactions, dilutions, or washing steps are required to determine a final answer. The centrifugal force activated-valve provides positive control over fluid in the assay chamber and allows for repeated use of the same chamber for multiple reaction steps. The apparatus can be disposed of after an assay to eliminate potential contamination from reuse of the same apparatus.

Abstract: A method of testing multiple fluid samples with multiple biopolymer arrays. A cover is assembled to a contiguous substrate carrying on a first side, multiple arrays each with multiple regions of biopolymers linked to the substrate, such that the cover and the substrate together form a plurality of chambers each containing a biopolymer array and each being accessible through its own port. Multiple fluid samples are introduced into respective chambers through a port of each such that the fluid samples contact respective arrays. A binding pattern of the arrays is observed. An apparatus and kit useful in such methods, are also provided.

Abstract: A system for identifying calls traversing a packet network. The system includes an analysis device that receives first signaling information from a packet network and second signaling information from a circuit network. The analysis device correlates the first signaling information with the second signaling information to generate correlated records about calls that traverse both the packet switched network and the circuit network. A database system receives the correlated records and calculates statistics describing traffic that traversed both the packet network and the circuit network.

Abstract: A microfluidic system, particularly a microfluidic chip, with at least one operational channel, in which a fluid and/or the constituents contained therein are moveable in the direction of the operational channel by a driving force, particularly by using pressure, acoustic energy, or an electrical and/or a magnetic field. At least one measurement sensor used to measure a measurable value assigned to the fluid and derivable in the region of the fluid and at least one regulator is provided to regulate the driving force and/or a parameter that may be influenced by it, wherein the regulator is coupled with a measurement sensor and a device used to alter the driving force and/or the parameter that may be influenced by it. The microfluidic system further relates to a procedure to transport and guide a fluid and/or the constituents contained therein within a microfluidic system of the type described above.

Abstract: An improved method and system for diagnosing faults of a system under test is provided. One or more candidate diagnoses potentially responsible for observed testing failures are generated. Each candidate diagnosis is then assigned a weight based in part on any of a number of factors not previously considered in the weighting process, thus making the weighting process more accurate. In one case, the weight of a diagnosis may be based on the combined consistent utilization of the candidate diagnosis across all failing system tests. Alternately, or in addition, that weight may be based on the combined utilization of the diagnosis among all passing system tests. Other potential factors may also be used.

Abstract: Methods of error-tolerant modular testing of services are described, wherein an ordered list of test module identifiers is built in an error stack for the purposes of structured state teardown following the occurrence of an error during testing of services (i.e., network or other.) The error that triggers the teardown may comprise any error or more particularly an error not among a predetermined list of acceptable errors, the occurrence of which should not cause the cessation of services testing. Upon the occurrence of a triggering error, the test modules associated with the test module identifiers are executed in a reverse order to that which the test module identifiers were added to the error stack, effecting a structured state teardown.

Abstract: An x-ray inspection system. The x-ray inspection system includes an x-ray source, an on-axis x-ray sensor, at least one off-axis x-ray sensor, a fixture, and an accumulation circuit. The on-axis x-ray sensor is configured to capture on-axis images of radiation from the x-ray source. The x-ray source is displaced from the on-axis x-ray sensor, and the x-ray source and the on-axis x-ray sensor are positioned on an axis conceptually drawn between the x-ray source and the on-axis x-ray sensor. At least one off-axis x-ray sensor is configured to capture off-axis images of radiation from the x-ray source, wherein each off-axis x-ray sensor is positioned off the axis. The fixture is configured to maintain an article between the x-ray source and the on-axis and off-axis x-ray sensors, and the accumulation circuit is configured to receive and accumulate images captured by the on-axis and off-axis x-ray sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus having: an agent; and a first test session servlet running on the agent, receiving a test description in a predetermined format from a caller, threading a first test session that invokes the agent to run the at least one subtest. The test description has at least one predefined subtest, dynamic data, and predefined test parameters. The first test session servlet receives test results from the first test session, and sends the subtest results from the at least one subtest and the dynamic data back to the caller.

Abstract: Capacitive leadframe testing techniques are improved through knowledge of characteristics of semiconductor junctions specific to nodes of device under test (DUT) that are connected to nodes under test of the DUT.

Abstract: A laser being tunable in wavelength includes a first reflecting unit and a second reflecting unit, both reflecting units being arranged to at least partially reflect an incident beam of electromagnetic radiation towards each other, an optical path of said beam of electromagnetic radiation within said cavity, which is defined in length by said first and second reflecting unit, a dispersive device, which is arranged, such that a portion of said optical path of said beam of electromagnetic radiation traverses through said dispersive device, wherein said dispersive device comprises a dispersive characteristic representing a functional dependence of an optical path length of said portion with respect to wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation, wherein said optical path length increases with an increasing wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An FET-characteristic measuring system applies a pulse output from a pulse generator to the gate of an FET in order to measure drain current flowing through the FET. The pulse has a voltage based on a set voltage. The measuring system includes a divider for dividing the pulse output from the pulse generator into a first pulse applied to the gate of the FET and a second pulse for voltage measurement; a voltage measuring device for measuring a voltage of the second pulse; and a set-voltage adjusting device for determining, based on the voltage of the second pulse, a target set voltage for the pulse generator to apply a pulse having a desired gate application voltage to the FET and for adjusting the set voltage to the target set voltage so that a voltage of the first pulse is equal to the desired gate application voltage.