Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of an otolaryngologic pathogen in a biological sample, and a sensor device, sensor chip, and nucleic acid probes useful for detecting otolaryngologic pathogens.

Abstract: A product including a hydrogel matrix and a porous semiconductor material at least partially embedded within the hydrogel matrix. Also disclosed are methods of making the product and a substantially flexible porous semiconductor material, as well as methods of using the product to deliver a therapeutic agent to a subject and detecting the presence of a pathogen and/or infection at a wound site.

Abstract: Methods of identifying molecular beacons in which a secondary structure prediction algorithm is employed to identify oligonucleotide sequences within a target gene having the requisite hairpin structure. Isolated oligonucleotides, molecular beacons prepared from those oligonucleotides, and their use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor chip that includes: a fluorescence quenching surface; a nucleic acid probe that contains first and second ends with the first end bound to the fluorescence quenching surface, a first region, and a second region complementary to the first region, the nucleic acid probe having, under appropriate conditions, either a hairpin conformation with the first and second regions hybridized together or a non-haipin conformation; and a first fluorophore bound to the second end of the first nucleic acid molecule. When the first nucleic acid molecule is in the hairpin conformation, the fluorescence quenching surface substantially quenches fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore; and when the first nucleic acid molecule is in the non-hairpin conformation, fluorescent emissions by the fluorophore are substantially free of quenching by the fluorescence quenching surface.

Abstract: A sensing system and method for biomolecular sensing. The system includes: a receptor for the at least one target, the receptor including a substrate and a transparent coating on the substrate having front and back surfaces; a light source positioned to direct at least a portion of light from the light source toward the coating on the receptor; and a detector positioned to capture the light reflected from the front and back surfaces of the coating, the detector identifying presence of at least one target based on a change in the interference pattern of captured light.

Abstract: The mechanism is used with a yarn winder having a traverse guide box or housing, a traverse guide and chucks, drive rolls, and control rollers for rotating yarn package supports, such as bobbins or tubes, and provided with a yarn catching device, such as a peripheral groove or hook, adjacent one end of the package supports, with the traverse guide cross-winding yarn packages on the supports. The yarn strung up in the winder, under a tension tending to move the yarn into a traverse guide, is caught in a guide member, while restrained from entering the traverse guide, and the yarn is moved by the guide member into a position aligned with a yarn catching device for catching of the yarn which is then broken or cut. The yarn is then moved in the guide member axially of the package support to wind a few turns therealong as a transfer tail, after which the yarn is released from the guide member to enter the traverse guide for cross-winding to form the yarn package.