Abstract: A method is disclosed for predicting in advance whether a melanoma patient is likely to benefit from high dose IL2 therapy in treatment of the cancer. The method makes use of mass spectrometry data obtained from a blood-based sample of the patient and a computer configured as a classifier and making use of a reference set of mass spectral data obtained from a development set of blood-based samples from other melanoma patients. A variety of classifiers for making this prediction are disclosed, including a classifier developed from a set of blood-based samples obtained from melanoma patients treated with high dose IL2 as well as melanoma patients treated with an anti-PD-1 immunotherapy drug. The classifiers developed from anti-PD-1 and IL2 patient sample cohorts can also be used in combination to guide treatment of a melanoma patient.

Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is detected in a patient with liver disease. Mass spectrometry data from a blood-based sample from the patient is compared to a reference set of mass-spectrometry data from a multitude of other patients with liver disease, including patients with and without HCC, in a general purpose computer configured as a classifier. The classifier generates a class label, such as HCC or No HCC, for the test sample. A laboratory system for early detection of HCC in patients with liver disease is also disclosed. Alternative testing strategies using AFP measurement and a reference set for classification in the form of class-labeled mass spectral data from blood-based samples of lung cancer patients are also described, including multi-stage testing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of predicting cancer patient response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, e.g., an antibody drug blocking ligand activation of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) or CTLA4. The method includes obtaining mass spectrometry data from a blood-based sample of the patient, obtaining integrated intensity values in the mass spectrometry data of a multitude of pre-determined mass-spectral features; and operating on the mass spectral data with a programmed computer implementing a classifier. The classifier compares the integrated intensity values with feature values of a training set of class-labeled mass spectral data obtained from a multitude of melanoma patients with a classification algorithm and generates a class label for the sample. A class label “early” or the equivalent predicts the patient is likely to obtain relatively less benefit from the antibody drug and the class label “late” or the equivalent indicates the patient is likely to obtain relatively greater benefit from the antibody drug.

Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is detected in a patient with liver disease. Mass spectrometry data from a blood-based sample from the patient is compared to a reference set of mass-spectrometry data from a multitude of other patients with liver disease, including patients with and without HCC, in a general purpose computer configured as a classifier. The classifier generates a class label, such as HCC or No HCC, for the test sample. A laboratory system for early detection of HCC in patients with liver disease is also disclosed. Alternative testing strategies using AFP measurement and a reference set for classification in the form of class-labeled mass spectral data from blood-based samples of lung cancer patients are also described, including multi-stage testing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of predicting cancer patient response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, e.g., an antibody drug blocking ligand activation of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) or CTLA4. The method includes obtaining mass spectrometry data from a blood-based sample of the patient, obtaining integrated intensity values in the mass spectrometry data of a multitude of pre-determined mass-spectral features; and operating on the mass spectral data with a programmed computer implementing a classifier. The classifier compares the integrated intensity values with feature values of a training set of class-labeled mass spectral data obtained from a multitude of melanoma patients with a classification algorithm and generates a class label for the sample. A class label “early” or the equivalent predicts the patient is likely to obtain relatively less benefit from the antibody drug and the class label “late” or the equivalent indicates the patient is likely to obtain relatively greater benefit from the antibody drug.

Abstract: A programmed computer functioning as a classifier operates on mass spectral data obtained from a blood-based patient sample to predict indolence or aggressiveness of prostate cancer. Methods of generating the classifier and conducting a test on a blood-based sample from a prostate cancer patient using the classifier are described.

Abstract: A programmed computer functioning as a classifier operates on mass spectral data obtained from a blood-based patient sample to predict indolence or aggressiveness of prostate cancer. Methods of generating the classifier and conducting a test on a blood-based sample from a prostate cancer patient using the classifier are described.

Abstract: A sleeve for mounting a prosthetic unit on a limb is formed in a knitted fabric comprising elastic yarns to allow circumferential extension of the sleeve to grip the limb. Adherent fibres are integrated within the fabric and exposed on the internal surface of the sleeve to provide additional grip. Such fibres can be silicone or silicone based yarns. An end of the sleeve is adapted to couple with a prosthetic unit. The knitted fabric may include yarns of restricted elasticity to limit longitudinal extension of the sleeve, and the elastic yarns and the yarns of restricted elasticity are typically located in discrete sections (2, 4, 6) of the sleeve. Such discrete sections will normally extend longitudinally in the sleeve. The knitted yarns at the end of the sleeve are normally bonded directly to a coupling element (8, 10, 12) for attachment to a prosthetic unit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of predicting cancer patient response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, e.g., an antibody drug blocking ligand activation of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) or CTLA4. The method includes obtaining mass spectrometry data from a blood-based sample of the patient, obtaining integrated intensity values in the mass spectrometry data of a multitude of pre-determined mass-spectral features; and operating on the mass spectral data with a programmed computer implementing a classifier. The classifier compares the integrated intensity values with feature values of a training set of class-labeled mass spectral data obtained from a multitude of melanoma patients with a classification algorithm and generates a class label for the sample. A class label “early” or the equivalent predicts the patient is likely to obtain relatively less benefit from the antibody drug and the class label “late” or the equivalent indicates the patient is likely to obtain relatively greater benefit from the antibody drug.

Abstract: Classifier generation methods are described in which features used in classification (e.g., mass spectral peaks) are selected, or deselected using bagged filtering. A development sample set is split into two subsets, one of which is used as a training set the other of which is set aside. We define a classifier (e.g., K-nearest neighbor, decision tree, margin-based classifier or other) using the training subset and at least one of the features (or subsets of two or more features in combination). We apply the classifier to a subset of samples. A filter is applied to the performance of the classifier on the sample subset and the at least one feature is added to a “filtered feature list” if the classifier performance passes the filter. We do this for many different realizations of the separation of the development sample set into two subsets, and, for each realization, different features or sets of features in combination.

Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is detected in a patient with liver disease. Mass spectrometry data from a blood-based sample from the patient is compared to a reference set of mass-spectrometry data from a multitude of other patients with liver disease, including patients with and without HCC, in a general purpose computer configured as a classifier. The classifier generates a class label, such as HCC or No HCC, for the test sample. A laboratory system for early detection of HCC in patients with liver disease is also disclosed. Alternative testing strategies using AFP measurement and a reference set for classification in the form of class-labeled mass spectral data from blood-based samples of lung cancer patients are also described, including multi-stage testing.

Abstract: A programmed computer functioning as a classifier operates on mass spectral data obtained from a blood-based patient sample to predict indolence or aggressiveness of prostate cancer. Methods of generating the classifier and conducting a test on a blood-based sample from a prostate cancer patient using the classifier are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a handheld apparatus for in vivo examination of the viability of a biological tissue.

Abstract: An operation abnormality detector of electronic modules detects an abnormality in an associated device, such as the presence of a foreign body nearby the device. The detector can be used, for example, in the mouthpiece of a card reader of a self-serving banking machine. Upon detecting an abnormality, operation of the machine can be suspended by turning off its display, precluding fraud with unauthorized cards or vandalism. Upon detecting the abnormality, an alert is set to an alarm central.

Abstract: Fiber optic position transducer that includes a magnetic or electromagnetic element, one or more segments of magnetostrictive material, Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors, a rod of material that is impenetrable to magnetic fields, optical fiber. One or more of the sensors is fixed upon a segment of magnetostrictive material, which is fixed to a rod, and may only be displaced longitudinally. The Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors have different wave lengths and are made of the same optical fiber. The magnetic or electromagnetic element included may be made of NdFeB (Neodymium Iron Boron) or metal alloys of TbDyFe (Terbium, Dysprosium and Iron), such as TX, Terphenol-D and others. It is applied to a control flow valve in an oil well, and it also refers to the calibration process of the position of the transducer.

Abstract: An operation abnormality detector of electronic modules detects an abnormality in an associated device, such as the presence of a foreign body nearby the device. The detector can be used, for example, in the mouthpiece of a card reader of a self-serving banking machine. Upon detecting an abnormality, operation of the machine can be suspended by turning off its display, precluding fraud with unauthorized cards or vandalism. Upon detecting the abnormality, an alert is set to an alarm central.

Abstract: Fiber optic position transducer that includes a magnetic or electromagnetic element, one or more segments of magnetostrictive material, Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors, a rod of material that is impenetrable to magnetic fields, optical fiber. One or more of the sensors is fixed upon a segment of magnetostrictive material, which is fixed to a rod, and may only be displaced longitudinally. The Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors have different wave lengths and are made of the same optical fiber. The magnetic or electromagnetic element included may be made of NdFeB (Neodymium Iron Boron) or metal alloys of TbDyFe (Terbium, Dysprosium and Iron), such as TX, Terphenol-D and others. It is applied to a control flow valve in an oil well, and it also refers to the calibration process of the position of the transducer.

Abstract: A hand-held electric machine tool (1) with an at least partly rotary-driven tool receptacle (2) for a tool and a press switch (5) arranged at a handle (4) on the workpiece side for activating the connection of a power source (6) to an electric motor (7) connected to control electronics (10) which are connected to a force sensor (8), wherein the force sensor (8) is arranged between the tool receptacle (2) and the handle (4) and is designed for measuring a pressing force (F) of the hand-held electric machine tool pressing against a workpiece. In addition, an intuitive control process for the hand-held electric machine tool (1) is claimed.

Abstract: A process for reclaiming cured or semi-cured rubber, by subjecting a mass of rubber to be reclaimed to a solvent effective to swell said mass, passing the formed swollen mass of rubber through restriction means having small openings, such as a perforated plate, deleterious or devulcanizing substances being comprised in at least one of said restriction means and said swollen mass of rubber.