Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing detection of optical signals indicating the presence of an analyte of interest in a blood sample are described. In one aspect, a blood culture test vial having a sensor is inoculated with the blood sample, light at an excitation frequency of the sensor is transmitted to the test vial, an intensity of a plurality of fluorescence signals emitted from the test vial is measured, and the plurality of measured fluorescence signals are normalized using by a reference signal that is not dependent on a measured intensity of a fluorescence signal emitted from the test vial. In another aspect, a measurement system measures fluorescence signals from one or more reference vials performing in extreme pH conditions. Fluorescence signals emitted from test vials inoculated with samples under test are measured and compared to the signals measured from the one or more reference vials to address or mitigate variability in hardware components of the measurement system.

Abstract: An aircraft wing slat for mounting to a leading portion of an aircraft wing includes a main body section and a forward section, wherein the forward section is demountable from or releasably secured to the main body section. The forward section may have a nose skin with an electrically powered heater. The electrically powered heater may be integral with the nose skin and may be microporous such that it is integrated into surrounding dielectric to contribute to the mechanical strength of the nose skin. A demountable forward section of an aircraft wing slat, a main body section of an aircraft wing slat arranged to receive a demountable forward section, an aircraft wing and an aircraft wing slat with a nose skin with an electrically powered heater are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of protein from vegetable protein material is disclosed which involves differential settling and separation of protein bodies and cellular debris from the material by hydrocyclone separation. The process includes the steps of grinding vegetable protein material to a particle size range of less than about 40 microns, preferably less than about 10 microns followed by admixing the ground material with an aqueous suspension medium having a pH of 4.5, separating the protein bodies from the non-proteinaceous material by hydrocyclone separation into underflow and overflow streams, the underflow stream substantially containing intact protein bodies, the overflow stream substantially containing cellular debris and recovering the solids from both streams. The underflow stream which is separated from the aqueous suspension medium provides protein concentration of at least 68% by weight.

Abstract: Fruit drinks which contain residual sulfur dioxide will have improved taste and odor and improved vitamin C retension if packaged in a substantially gas permeable container.