Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are breakable swabs for sample collection. In some embodiments, the swabs may be used in rapid diagnostic tests to detect one or more target nucleic acid sequences (e.g., a nucleic acid sequence of one or more pathogens). In some embodiments, the pathogens are viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or protozoan pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 or an influenza virus. The swab may include a stem portion for handling and a head portion for collecting and/or holding a sample. After sample collection, the head portion may be inserted into a reaction tube or any other sample-receiving device. The stem portion of the swab may then be separated or detached from the head portion along a breakable portion.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting degradation of a fiber optic in a strap of a body-worn device that is removably attached to an appendage or other location of a person or animal. A fiber optic is embedded within the strap. A light source emits light energy through the optical interface and into the fiber optic and a light sensor receives and detects light energy from the fiber optic. If the light energy is not received and detected from the fiber optic, the light energy is increased until the light energy is received and detected or reaches a maximum light energy at which time tampering is declared. If the light energy reaches a pre-determined threshold which is less than the maximum light energy, it is declared that the body-worn device requires servicing.

Abstract: Provided herein are rapid diagnostic tests, systems, and methods for detecting one or more target nucleic acid sequences (e.g., a nucleic acid sequence of one or more pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 or an influenza virus) using isothermal nucleic acid amplification. The tests, systems, and methods described herein may be performed in a point-of-care setting or a home setting without specialized equipment.

Abstract: Described herein in one embodiment is software, which may be downloaded to a device, to guide a user through administration of a test. Test results may be uploaded, manually or automatically, to a device or communicated remotely through a network. In an embodiment, the test is a rapid test. In an embodiment, the rapid test detects presence of COVID-19. In an embodiment, the rapid test detects COVID-19 or influenza. In an embodiment, the rapid test detects influenza A or influenza B. In an embodiment, the rapid test detects a target nucleic acid. In an embodiment, the target nucleic acid represents one of a viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic or protozoan pathogen. Each of the rapid tests may be self administrable.

Abstract: A reagent carrier includes: a cap configured to fit on an opening of a reaction vessel; and a reagent confined by the cap. The cap may be configured to release the reagent when a user manipulates the cap while the cap is fitted on the opening of the reaction vessel. For example, the reagent may be released when the user twists the cap from a first position to a second position or when the user pushes on a surface of the cap. The cap may be configured to seal the opening of the reaction vessel when the cap is fitted on the opening of the reaction vessel. In some implementations, the cap may be a blister cap containing the reagent. In some implementations, the cap may include a cage containing the reagent. In some implementations, the cap may include a deformable structure containing the reagent.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are rapid diagnostic tests to detect one or more target nucleic acid sequences (e.g., a nucleic acid sequence of one or more pathogens). In some embodiments, the pathogens are viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or protozoan pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 or an influenza virus. Further embodiments provide methods of detecting genetic abnormalities. Diagnostic tests comprising a sample-collecting component, one or more reagents (e.g., lysis reagents, nucleic acid amplification reagents), and a detection component (e.g., a component comprising a lateral flow assay strip and/or a colorimetric assay) are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are rapid diagnostic tests to detect one or more target nucleic acid sequences (e.g., a nucleic acid sequence of one or more pathogens). In some embodiments, the pathogens are viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or protozoan pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 or an influenza virus. Further embodiments provide methods of detecting genetic abnormalities. Diagnostic tests comprising a sample-collecting component, one or more reagents (e.g., lysis reagents, nucleic acid amplification reagents), and a detection component (e.g., a component comprising a lateral flow assay strip) are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are rapid diagnostic tests comprising a lateral flow strip and an integrated swab head. The tests may be used to detect, for example, one or more pathogens, such as viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or protozoan pathogens. Further embodiments provide methods of detecting genetic abnormalities. Nucleic acid tests using the diagnostic tests are provided.

Abstract: Described herein in one embodiment is a computer-implemented method comprising accessing information representing a detection component of a diagnostic test and determining, based at least in part on the information representing the detection component of the diagnostic test, results of the diagnostic test. Described herein in one embodiment is a method of performing a diagnostic test on a subject. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a sample from the subject, processing the sample, analyzing the sample with a detection component of the diagnostic test, and performing a computer-implemented method comprising accessing information representing the detection component of a diagnostic test, and determining, based at least in part on the information representing the detection component of the diagnostic test, results of the diagnostic test.

Abstract: Described herein in one embodiment is software, which may be downloaded to a device, to guide a user through administration of a test. Test results may be uploaded, manually or automatically, to a device or communicated remotely through a network. In an embodiment, the test is a rapid test. In an embodiment, the rapid test detects presence of COVID-19. In an embodiment, the rapid test detects COVID-19 or influenza. In an embodiment, the rapid test detects influenza A or influenza B. In an embodiment, the rapid test detects a target nucleic acid. In an embodiment, the target nucleic acid represents one of a viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic or protozoan pathogen. Each of the rapid tests may be self administrable.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are rapid diagnostic tests to detect one or more target nucleic acid sequences (e.g., a nucleic acid sequence of one or more pathogens) having a seal component. In some embodiments, the pathogens are viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or protozoan pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 or an influenza virus. Further embodiments provide methods of detecting genetic abnormalities. Diagnostic tests comprising a sample-collecting component, one or more reagents (e.g., lysis reagents, nucleic acid amplification reagents), a seal component, and a detection component (e.g., a component comprising a lateral flow assay strip and/or a colorimetric assay) are provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for generating signatures based on sensing one or more gas concentration conditions are disclosed. One method includes sensing, by one or more sensors, levels of a gas over time for a plurality of gas concentration conditions, receiving, by a controller, the sensed levels of gas over time for the plurality of gas concentration conditions, and generating, by the controller, a plurality of signatures, wherein one or more signatures is generated for one or more gas concentration conditions based on the sensed levels of gas over time, and determining whether to take action or not to take action.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to secure a memory polymer component in a flow path. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a memory component in a rest state, performing a deformation operation to transition the component from the rest state to a deformed state, inserting the component into a flow path defined by interior side walls of a structure, and applying a stimulus to transition the component from the deformed state to an intermediate state in which the component abuts the side walls to secure the component in the flow path. Additional devices, systems, and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting and disabling offending devices includes monitoring for a radio frequency signal. When an offending device initializes and registers with a cell tower, it emits the radio frequency signal. After the radio frequency signal is detected, a message including an identification of the radio frequency signal is transmitted to a receiver of a base station. Responsive to receiving the message, the base station sends a secure transaction that includes an indication of the radio frequency signal to a processor of a cellular carrier system. Responsive to receiving the secure transaction, the processor of the cellular carrier system correlates a time and the radio frequency signal with an account associated with the registration of the offending device, disconnects from the offending device, and disables an account associated with the offending device.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for generating signatures based on sensing one or more gas concentration conditions are disclosed. One method includes sensing, by one or more sensors, levels of a gas over time for a plurality of gas concentration conditions, receiving, by a controller, the sensed levels of gas over time for the plurality of gas concentration conditions, and generating, by the controller, a plurality of signatures, wherein one or more signatures is generated for one or more gas concentration conditions based on the sensed levels of gas over time, and determining whether to take action or not to take action.

Abstract: A leak detecting device for a fluid filled vessel including a housing, a solid shaft, an anchoring attachment, and a resilient member. The housing has a continuous perimeter edge sized to extend around an underwater surface, forms a hollow interior, and includes a first aperture formed through a wall of the housing and a second aperture formed through the wall of the housing. The solid shaft extends through the first aperture of the housing and has a first end on an interior side of the housing and a second end on an exterior side of the housing. The anchoring attachment is secured to the first end of the solid shaft. The resilient member is secured to the perimeter edge of the housing.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for detecting a substance are disclosed. One system includes a light source, an optical cavity, a cavity detector, and a processor. The light source generates a beam of electro-magnetic radiation, wherein a wavelength of the beam of electro-magnetic radiation is tuned to operate at multiple wavelengths. The optical cavity receives the beam of electro-magnetic radiation, wherein the physical characteristics of the cavity define a plurality of allowed axial-plus-transverse electro-magnetic radiation modes, wherein only a subset of the allowed axial-plus-transverse electro-magnetic radiation modes are excited when the optical cavity receives the beam of electro-magnetic radiation. The cavity detector senses electro-magnetic radiation emanating from the optical cavity.

Abstract: A leak detecting device for a fluid filled vessel including a housing, tube, anchoring attachment, resilient member, and opening. The housing has a continuous perimeter edge sized to extend around an underwater surface, the housing forming a hollow interior. The tube extends through an aperture into the hollow interior of the housing, having a first end on an interior side of the housing and a second end on an exterior side of the housing. The anchoring attachment is secured to the first end of the tube. The resilient member is secured to the perimeter edge of the housing and adapted to contact and form a seal between the housing and the underwater surface. The opening is formed through an entirety of a wall of the housing, wherein the opening is accessible from an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: An auditing system (10) is provided for detecting at least one unauthorized operational activity in at least one website, and includes a processor coupled to at least one database (34) for storing data related to the at least one unauthorized operational activity. The processor is programmed to detect the at least one unauthorized operational activity in the at least one website using a monitoring module (22) configured to monitor the at least one website via a network (16) and provide unauthorized operational status information about the at least one website using a plurality of status messages generated based on the data, and a detection module (24) configured to examine the plurality of status messages and detect an anomaly caused by the at least one unauthorized operational activity.