Abstract: A warm-up method for a machine system including a machine component and a machine sensor configured to sense temperature of the machine component is provided. The method comprises steps of; A) activating the machine component to execute a warm-up operation for warming up the machine component; B) determining whether the machine component is warmed up based on a target temperature corresponding to the machine component and a temperature of the machine component that is currently sensed by the machine sensor; and C) when it is determined that the machine component is warmed up, making the machine component not execute the warm-up operation.

Abstract: A hydroponic tray for agricultural use. More particularly, the hydroponic tray allows control on fluid flowing there through. The tray includes an inlet end for the ingress of fluid and an outlet end for the egress of fluid, a trough extending continuously between the inlet end and the outlet end along which, in use, the fluid flows, and at least one fluid regulator device extending transversely across the trough, wherein each fluid regulator device comprises a sluice panel adapted to allow a predetermined rate of fluid flow there through and a control panel moveable relative to the sluice panel to vary the rate of fluid flow through the fluid regulator.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a first layer and a second layer including a same material, a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, a first air gap separating the first layer and the third layer, a second air gap separating the second layer and the third layer, a plurality of first pillars exposed to the first air gap and arranged in contact with the first layer and the third layer, a plurality of second pillars exposed to the second air gap and arranged in contact with the second layer and the third layer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the diagnosis, prognosis, or management of diseases, such as cancer, by measuring the tyrosine kinase activity in acellular body fluids. Further provided are methods of predicting response to therapy in certain populations of cancer patients by contacting an acellular body fluid sample from a patient with a test agent, such as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and then measuring the effect of the test agent on tyrosine kinase activity in the sample.

Abstract: The tray (10) of the present invention is for use in hydroponics. The tray has a first end and a second end having a longitudinal axis defined therebetween. An inlet (20) is provided at the first end for receiving nutrient and an outlet (30) is provided at the second end for draining nutrient solution. A levee system comprising paddle assemblies (40) extending orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tray is disposed between the first end and second end of the tray. The paddle assemblies are adapted to partition the tray to define compartments and to impede the downstream flow of nutrient solution from the first end to the second end. The paddle assemblies are adjustable so as regulate depth of nutrient solution in each compartment to enable optimal irrigation of the plants cultivated in each compartment. To complete a hydroponic system, the tray of the present invention connects to at least one reservoir for holding nutrient solution.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a first layer and a second layer including a same material, a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, a first air gap separating the first layer and the third layer, a second air gap separating the second layer and the third layer, a plurality of first pillars exposed to the first air gap and arranged in contact with the first layer and the third layer, a plurality of second pillars exposed to the second air gap and arranged in contact with the second layer and the third layer.

Abstract: A micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) microphone includes a first membrane, a second membrane, a third membrane disposed between the first membrane and the second membrane, a first cavity disposed between the first membrane and the third membrane and surrounded by a first wall, a second cavity disposed between the second membrane and the third membrane and surrounded by a second wall, and one or more first supports disposed in the first cavity and connecting the first membrane and the third membrane.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) force sensor, and a capacitive acceleration sensor. In the method of manufacturing the sensor device, a sensor portion of the MEMS force sensor is prepared over a front surface of a first substrate. The sensor portion includes a piezo-resistive element and a front electrode. A bottom electrode and a first electrode are formed on a back surface of the first substrate. A second substrate having an electrode pad and a second electrode to the bottom of the first substrate are attached such that the bottom electrode is connected to the electrode pad and the first electrode faces the second electrode with a space therebetween.

Abstract: Methods for in situ amplification (ISA) of cfNA, such as cfDNA, in a sample are provided wherein the cfNA in the sample is not subject to a nucleic acid purification step. The methods disclosed may be used to generate an analyzable pool of cfNA present in the sample. The analyzable pool may be used with a variety of analytical techniques to characterize the nucleic acid in the sample. Methods of diagnosis, determining a therapeutic intervention and monitoring of a subject are also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed over the first substrate, and including a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a via portion extending between the first surface and the second surface, a first through hole and a second through hole, and a device disposed over the second surface, and including a dielectric layer, a backplate at least partially exposed from the dielectric layer and a membrane at least partially exposed from the dielectric layer and disposed between the backplate and the first substrate, wherein the via portion is disposed within the second through hole, and the dielectric layer is bonded with the second substrate, and the device is electrically connected to the first substrate through the via portion.

Abstract: The tray (10) of the present invention is for use in hydroponics. The tray has a first end and a second end having a longitudinal axis defined therebetween. An inlet (20) is provided at the first end for receiving nutrient and an outlet (30) is provided at the second end for draining nutrient solution. A levee system comprising paddle assemblies (40) extending orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tray is disposed between the first end and second end of the tray. The paddle assemblies are adapted to partition the tray to define compartments and to impede the downstream flow of nutrient solution from the first end to the second end. The paddle assemblies are adjustable so as regulate depth of nutrient solution in each compartment to enable optimal irrigation of the plants cultivated in each compartment. To complete a hydroponic system, the tray of the present invention connects to at least one reservoir for holding nutrient solution.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed over the first substrate, and including a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a via portion extending between the first surface and the second surface, a first through hole and a second through hole, and a device disposed over the second surface, and including a dielectric layer, a backplate at least partially exposed from the dielectric layer and a membrane at least partially exposed from the dielectric layer and disposed between the backplate and the first substrate, wherein the via portion is disposed within the second through hole, and the dielectric layer is bonded with the second substrate, and the device is electrically connected to the first substrate through the via portion.

Abstract: A plant cultivating container comprising a hollow cell (10) for holding a growing medium and a plant. The cell has side walls (11), a base (20) and an open top (12). Air vents (30) are disposed on the side walls of the container. The base is vertically-movable base with guide tabs (21) which are extendable though an air vent. When the vertically-movable base is pushed upwards to eject the cultivated plant, the vertical movement is guided by engagement of the tabs within the air vents resulting in uniform support at all sides of the base. This enables the removal of the growing medium and the plant cultivated within it, in a substantially compact unit resulting in minimized root damage and transplant shock to the cultivated plant. The air vents of the plant cultivating container further comprises retaining flaps (31) to aid in the pruning of the roots.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for the isolation of a cell free complex comprising a circulating, cell free nucleic acid component. The nucleic acid component of the complex is, at least in part, associated with cellular components, such as polypeptides and lipids. The methods of the present disclosure provide for the isolation of circulating cell free nucleic acids that are longer and less fragmented as compared to prior art methods. Furthermore, the circulating, cell free nucleic acid represent biologically relevant nucleic acid targets as the methods described selectively remove non-functional nucleic acids from the isolated material. The nucleic acid component of the isolated complexes reflects a wide spectrum of genomic representation enabling successful detection of mutations, polymorphisms, methylation status and other genomic markers for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The linear controlling module of the present invention includes a controlling switch, a first resistor, a capacitor, and a second resistor. The controlling switch is electrically connected to a controlling signal outputting terminal of a power supplying device, the first resistor is electrically connected to the controlling switch, the capacitor is electrically connected to a electric power outputting terminal of the power supplying device and the first resistor, and the second resistor is electrically connected to the switch component of the power supplying device, the first resistor, and the capacitor. The switch component is electrically connected to an electric power outputting terminal.

Abstract: An output short circuit protecting device electrically connected to a power supplying device includes a first output short circuit protecting unit. The first output short circuit protecting unit includes a sensing unit, a comparing unit, a judging element, and a latching unit. The sensing unit is electrically connected to a switching unit, a first outputting resistor, and a second outputting resistor of the power supplying device. The comparing unit is electrically connected to the sensing unit. The judging element is electrically connected to the comparing unit, and a controller and a signal-controlling terminal of the power supplying device. The latching unit is electrically connected to the judging element and the signal-controlling terminal.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first sensing structure over the first substrate, and between the first substrate and the second substrate, a via extending through the second substrate, and a second sensing structure over the second substrate, and including an interconnect structure electrically connected with the via, and a sensing material at least partially covering the interconnect structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel methods for direct sample nucleic acid amplification with optional detection. The methods of the present disclosure provide for the foregoing without the requirement of nucleic acid purification from the sample. The methods generally comprise diluting a sample containing a nucleic acid target sequence to be amplified to produce a diluted sample, optionally subjecting the diluted sample to processing, either before or after dilution, and performing an amplification reaction on the sample to amplify the nucleic acid target sequence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring the concentration of functional proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). A method of measuring functional PCSK9 in a sample is provided, by contacting the sample with a PCSK9-binding agent capable of binding to the LDL-R-binding region of a PCSK9; and measuring the amount of functional PCSK9 from the sample bound to the binding agent. Diagnostic methods, kits, and reagents for using the method are also provided.

Abstract: A plant cultivating container comprising a hollow cell (10) for holding a growing medium and a plant. The cell has side walls (11), a base (20) and an open top (12). Air vents (30) are disposed on the side walls of the container. The base is vertically-movable base with guide tabs (21) which are extendable though an air vent. When the vertically-movable base is pushed upwards to eject the cultivated plant, the vertical movement is guided by engagement of the tabs within the air vents resulting in uniform support at all sides of the base. This enables the removal of the growing medium and the plant cultivated within it, in a substantially compact unit resulting in minimized root damage and transplant shock to the cultivated plant. The air vents of the plant cultivating container further comprises retaining flaps (31) to aid in the pruning of the roots.