Abstract: Devices for sorting components (e.g., cells) contained in a liquid sample are provided. In certain aspects, the devices include a magnetic separation device and an acoustic concentrator device fluidically coupled to magnetic separation device. Aspects of the invention further include methods for sorting cells in a liquid sample, and systems, and kits for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Systems for sterile separation of magnetically labeled sample components and methods for using the same are provided. Embodiments of the systems include a magnetic separation device and a pliant sample container, where a portion of the pliant sample container is operatively coupled under pressure to the magnetic separation device. Also provided are methods of using the systems, as well as pliant sample containers configured for use with the subject systems and methods.

Abstract: Methods and devices for exchanging therapeutic agents, such as cells, from one liquid medium to another liquid medium are provided. Aspects of embodiments of the methods include transferring a therapeutic agent from a first medium, such as a freezing, storage or shipping buffer, into a second medium, such as a sterile physiologically compatible buffer. In certain aspects, the transfer of the therapeutic agent from a first medium to a second medium involves the use of acoustic-focusing, or acoustophoresis. Embodiments of the subject methods may facilitate the transfer of a therapeutic agent from a storage medium to an infusion medium, and in certain embodiments include administering the therapeutic agent contained in the infusion medium to the subject. Also provided by the present disclosure are devices for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Devices for sorting components (e.g., cells) contained in a liquid sample are provided. In certain aspects, the devices include a magnetic separation device and an acoustic concentrator device fluidically coupled to magnetic separation device. Aspects of the invention further include methods for sorting cells in a liquid sample, and systems, and kits for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: A bit quality evaluator receives a sequence of bits. The bit sequence is provided to a decoding device that performs soft decision convolutional decoding on the sequence of bits. An off track event detector detects an occurrence of a trellis decode path change during the convolutional decoding operation and identifies a first symbol proximate corresponding to the occurrence of the trellis decode path change. An erasure decision circuit identifies at least the first symbol for erasure. The output of the first decoder and the erasure decision circuit are received at a second decoder, which decoder decodes the output of the first decoder after erasing at least the first symbol. The erasure decision circuit may also identify additional symbols for erasure using performance measures of the trellis decode path and using quality measures of the sequence of bits.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a fusion analyte in a sample are provided. Aspects of the methods include preparing a reaction mixture that includes a sample and a microparticle comprising a capture ligand for the fusion analyte, as well as first and second fluorescently labeled detector molecules. One of the first and second detector molecules specifically binds to the fusion analyte and the other specifically binds to a parent molecule thereof. Also provided are systems and kits configured for use in practicing methods of the invention.

Abstract: Methods of determining the presence or amount of a target polynucleotide in a sample are provided. A sample that contains a target polynucleotide, a polynucleotide that may include nucleic acid analogs and that is complementary to a target nucleic acid sequence of the target polynucleotide, and a dye for which the rate of change in an optical property is different in the presence and absence of a target polynucleotide/polynucleotide hybrid are combined to produce a reaction mixture. The rate of change in an optical property of the dye in the reaction mixture is compared to a reference value characteristic of the rate of change in the optical property of the dye in a similar reaction mixture containing a known amount of a polynucleotide/polynucleotide hybrid to determine a relative rate of change in the optical property. The relative rate of change in the optical property of dye in the reaction mixture is correlated with the presence or amount of the specified target polynucleotide in the sample.

Abstract: A bit quality evaluator receives a sequence of bits. A quality measure is assigned to each bit within the sequence. The bit sequence and the quality measures are provided to a decoding device that performs soft decision convolutional decoding on the sequence of bits using the quality measure. An off-path detector detects an occurrence of a trellis decode path change during the convolutional decoding operation and identifies a first symbol proximate corresponding to the occurrence of the trellis decode path change. An erasure decision circuit identifies at least the first symbol for erasure. The output of the first decoder and the erasure decision circuit are received at a second decoder, which decoder decodes the output of the first decoder after erasing at least the first symbol. The erasure decision circuit may also identify additional symbols for erasure based on performance measures of the trellis decode path and the quality measure of the sequence of bits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the methods for assaying an analyte comprising a nucleic acid analog binding substrate in a sample, comprising reacting a catalytic complex comprising a nucleic acid analog, a nucleic acid analog specific binding substrate and a light reactive dye with a light stimulus, and detecting the presence or absence or amount of a reaction product of the catalytic complex and light stimulus. The present invention also relates to a method of assaying a nucleic acid analyte in a sample using an analyte-specific reporter complex. The present invention also relates to a method of assaying an analyte in a sample using a reporter molecule.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting the presence of one or more analytes in a sample are described. In some variations, a test strip may be used to detect and/or analyze one or more analytes in a sample. In certain variations, a test strip configured to receive a sample for detection of an analyte therein may comprise a substrate and a coating on a portion of the substrate, the coating comprising a combination of a first analyte capture agent configured to bind to a first analyte and a second analyte capture agent configured to bind to a second analyte that is different from the first analyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the methods for assaying an analyte comprising a nucleic acid analog binding substrate in a sample, comprising reacting a catalytic complex comprising a nucleic acid analog, a nucleic acid analog specific binding substrate and a light reactive dye with a light stimulus, and detecting the presence or absence or amount of a reaction product of the catalytic complex and light stimulus. The present invention also relates to a method of assaying a nucleic acid analyte in a sample using an analyte-specific reporter complex. The present invention also relates to a method of assaying an analyte in a sample using a reporter molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for isolating a target molecule from a sample suspected of containing the target molecule. The methods of the present invention utilize solid substrates as a means for capturing, separating, and releasing target molecules, such as chemical or biological compounds. The present invention is specifically directed to novel approaches for capturing, separating and releasing such target molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for isolating a target molecule from a sample suspected of containing the target molecule. The methods of the present invention utilize solid substrates as a means for capturing, separating, and releasing target molecules, such as chemical or biological compounds. The present invention is specifically directed to novel approaches for capturing, separating and releasing such target molecules.

Abstract: An embodiment includes encoding digital data into encoded digital data in a transition minimized differential signaling encoder, serializing the encoded digital data into encoded and serial digital data in a serializer, generating test data in a pseudo-random binary sequence generator circuit, transmitting the encoded and serial digital data through a multiplexer to a transmission medium in a normal mode of operation, and transmitting the test data through the multiplexer to the transmission medium in a test mode of operation. The encoder, the serializer, the sequence generator circuit, and the multiplexer may be fabricated in a single integrated circuit chip. The test data may be pseudo-random binary sequence data. The digital data may include data to generate colors in a visual image, and the encoded and serial digital data may be received, deserialized, decoded, and displayed in a display unit.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture accesses a dataset using an unsupported access method. A first request to access a dataset is intercepted. The first request is associated with a first data structure that specifies a first access method. The first data structure is replaced with a second data structure that specifies a second access method which is different from the first access method. The dataset is accessed in accordance with the second access method of the second data structure. In another particular embodiment, the first access method is the basic direct access method, and the second access method is any of the basic sequential access method and the queued sequential access method. In yet another embodiment, the dataset is an extended format physical sequential dataset.

Abstract: A sequential access memory (“SAM”) device, system and method is provided that includes a memory array configured to store a group of bytes on each of a plurality of rows. A plurality of bit-lines transfer each of the group of bytes into and out of the memory array, and a pre-charging unit is configured to pre-charge the plurality of bit-lines once per each transfer of one of the group of bytes into or out of one of the plurality of rows. The device operates by accessing a memory array in a SAM device by activating a selected row in the memory array, pre-charging a plurality of bit-lines that provide access to the memory array, and accessing the memory array before the plurality of bit-lines are pre-charged a second time.

Abstract: An embodiment includes encoding parallel digital data into encoded and parallel digital data in an encoder and generating parallel test data in a pseudo-random binary sequence generator circuit. The encoded and parallel digital data is coupled through a multiplexer to be serialized in a serializer in a normal mode of operation and the parallel test data is coupled through the multiplexer to be serialized in the serializer in a test mode of operation. Encoded and serial digital data are transmitted to a transmission medium in the normal mode, and serial test data are transmitted to the transmission medium in the test mode. The encoder, the serializer, the sequence generator circuit, and the multiplexer may be fabricated in a single integrated circuit chip. The parallel test data may be parallel pseudo-random binary sequence data. The parallel digital data may include data to generate colors in a visual image.

Abstract: A periscopic optical training system for displaying simulation and real images includes a microprocessor for generating at least one simulation image, at least one display for displaying the simulation image, at least one periscopic device each with a viewing window for receiving the simulation and real images, and a controller for controlling the simulation and real images to be received by the periscopic device interchangeably or simultaneously.

Abstract: A sequential access memory (“SAM”) device, system and method is provided that includes a memory array configured to store a group of bytes on each of a plurality of rows. A plurality of bit-lines transfer each of the group of bytes into and out of the memory array, and a pre-charging unit is configured to pre-charge the plurality of bit-lines once per each transfer of one of the group of bytes into or out of one of the plurality of rows. The device operates by accessing a memory array in a SAM device by activating a selected row in the memory array, pre-charging a plurality of bit-lines that provide access to the memory array, and accessing the memory array before the plurality of bit-lines are pre-charged a second time.

Abstract: A system and method for grouping products for packaging, including a metering station in which a line of products is engaged by a series of metering lugs. The metering lugs urge the products into off-set positions to form multiple lanes of products. Selected ones of the products are then engaged by a series of selector lugs at a selector station to urge the products together to form product groups for packaging.