Abstract: An apparatus (200) for shielding a sensor, the sensor being configured to measure one or more meteorological parameters, the apparatus (200) including: a first shielding element (202) to be irradiated by sunlight, the first shielding element (202) having a hollow body (204) providing a longitudinal central axis (208), the body (204) at least partly surrounding a chamber (206) in which the sensor is to be located; a second shielding element (212) axially spaced from an upper portion of the body (204) to form an air opening between the first and second shielding elements (202, 212) to permit air to pass from the chamber (206) and across the body (204); the apparatus (200) further including an airflow generator (214) positioned within the chamber (206) and operatively associated with the first and second shielding elements (202, 212) to provide an airflow between the opening and the chamber (206).

Abstract: A computer having a memory stores instructions for receiving data. The data comprises one or more characteristics for each cellular constituent in a plurality of cellular constituents that have been measured in a test organism of a species or a test biological specimen from an organism of the species. The memory further stores instructions for computing a model in a plurality of models, wherein the model is characterized by a model score that represents the likelihood of a biological feature in the test organism or the test biological specimen. Computation of the model comprises determining the model score using one or more characteristics for one or more cellular constituents in the plurality of cellular constituents. The memory also stores instructions for repeating the instructions for computing one or more times, thereby computing the plurality of models. The memory also stores instructions for communicating computed model scores.

Abstract: Methods, computer systems, and computer readable medium for testing a plurality of models in order to classify a biological specimen. A determination is made as to whether a model precondition associated with a model in the plurality of models has been satisfied. The model is skipped when the model precondition has not been satisfied. When the model precondition has been satisfied, the first model is tested by selecting a calculation from the first model. The selected calculation is computed using cellular constituent abundance values from the biological specimen in accordance with a calculation algorithm set forth in the selected model. This selecting and computing is repeated for one or more calculations in the selected model. Then, each of these calculations is aggregated in accordance with an aggregation algorithm associated with the selected model. These steps are repeated for at least one other model in the plurality of models.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products and computer systems for constructing a classifier for classifying a specimen into a class are provided. The classifiers are models. Each model includes a plurality of tests. Each test specifies a mathematical relationship (e.g., a ratio) between the characteristics of specific cellular constituents. Each test is polled using characteristic values of these specified cellular constituents from the biological specimen to be classified. In some embodiments, each test has a positive threshold and a negative threshold. When the value of the test exceeds the positive threshold, the test polls positive. When the value of the test is below the negative threshold, the test polls negative. When the value of the test is between the negative threshold and the positive threshold, the test polls indeterminate. The value of each test is combined to provide a composite score.