Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining concentrations of a target molecule and a variant thereof in a sample. The sample can comprise or be suspected to comprise a target molecule and at least one variant thereof and is exposed to one or more recognition elements that bind to the target molecule and/or the at least one variant. A signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the target molecule and/or a signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the at least one variant to the one or more recognition elements. The concentration of the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof is determined based on the signals. The system can comprise a receiver adapted to receive a sample comprising or suspected to comprise a target molecule and the at least one variant thereof, the receiver comprising one or more recognition elements that bind to one or more epitopes in the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining concentrations of a target molecule and a variant thereof in a sample. The sample can comprise or be suspected to comprise a target molecule and at least one variant thereof and is exposed to one or more recognition elements that bind to the target molecule and/or the at least one variant. A signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the target molecule and/or a signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the at least one variant to the one or more recognition elements. The concentration of the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof is determined based on the signals. The system can comprise a receiver adapted to receive a sample comprising or suspected to comprise a target molecule and the at least one variant thereof, the receiver comprising one or more recognition elements that bind to one or more epitopes in the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are passive microfluidic pumps. The pumps can comprise a fluid inlet, an absorbent region, a resistive region fluidly connecting the fluid inlet and the absorbent region, and an evaporation barrier enclosing the resistive region, the absorbent region, or a combination thereof. The resistive region can comprise a first porous medium, and a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a path for fluid flow through the first porous medium from the fluid inlet to the absorbent region. The absorbent region can comprise a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a volume of a second porous medium sized to absorb a predetermined volume of fluid imbibed from the resistive region. The resistive region and the absorbent region can be configured to establish a capillary-driven fluid front advancing from the fluid inlet through the resistive region to the absorbent region when the fluid inlet is contacted with fluid.

Abstract: Provided herein are passive microfluidic pumps. The pumps can comprise a fluid inlet, an absorbent region, a resistive region fluidly connecting the fluid inlet and the absorbent region, and an evaporation barrier enclosing the resistive region, the absorbent region, or a combination thereof. The resistive region can comprise a first porous medium, and a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a path for fluid flow through the first porous medium from the fluid inlet to the absorbent region. The absorbent region can comprise a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a volume of a second porous medium sized to absorb a predetermined volume of fluid imbibed from the resistive region. The resistive region and the absorbent region can be configured to establish a capillary-driven fluid front advancing from the fluid inlet through the resistive region to the absorbent region when the fluid inlet is contacted with fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining concentrations of a target molecule and a variant thereof in a sample. The sample can comprise or be suspected to comprise a target molecule and at least one variant thereof and is exposed to one or more recognition elements that bind to the target molecule and/or the at least one variant. A signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the target molecule and/or a signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the at least one variant to the one or more recognition elements. The concentration of the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof is determined based on the signals. The system can comprise a receiver adapted to receive a sample comprising or suspected to comprise a target molecule and the at least one variant thereof, the receiver comprising one or more recognition elements that bind to one or more epitopes in the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining concentrations of a target molecule and a variant thereof in a sample. The sample can comprise or be suspected to comprise a target molecule and at least one variant thereof and is exposed to one or more recognition elements that bind to the target molecule and/or the at least one variant. A signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the target molecule and/or a signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the at least one variant to the one or more recognition elements. The concentration of the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof is determined based on the signals. The system can comprise a receiver adapted to receive a sample comprising or suspected to comprise a target molecule and the at least one variant thereof, the receiver comprising one or more recognition elements that bind to one or more epitopes in the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof.

Abstract: In association with an imaging device which generates a portion of an image from a plurality of channels within a first row by sampling each channel during a sampling time corresponding to the channel, circuitry offsets sampling times of at least first and second channels within the first row, thereby reducing noise correlation between the first and second channels in the first row. Pixel sampling times may be defined by start times of the channels within a row, end times or both. Offsetting may be accomplished using a predetermined set of sampling time values or by randomizing sampling time values. Offsetting pixel sampling times of channels within a row relative to each other decorrelates channel sampling because different phases of the noise signal are sampled on each channel, effectively blurring or dithering the channel noise within each row. Random sampling within the channel, such as by varying a channel sampling time between rows, further dithers the noise within each channel.

Abstract: Provided herein are passive microfluidic pumps. The pumps can comprise a fluid inlet, an absorbent region, a resistive region fluidly connecting the fluid inlet and the absorbent region, and an evaporation barrier enclosing the resistive region, the absorbent region, or a combination thereof. The resistive region can comprise a first porous medium, and a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a path for fluid flow through the first porous medium from the fluid inlet to the absorbent region. The absorbent region can comprise a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a volume of a second porous medium sized to absorb a predetermined volume of fluid imbibed from the resistive region. The resistive region and the absorbent region can be configured to establish a capillary-driven fluid front advancing from the fluid inlet through the resistive region to the absorbent region when the fluid inlet is contacted with fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining concentrations of a target molecule and a variant thereof in a sample. The sample can comprise or be suspected to comprise a target molecule and at least one variant thereof and is exposed to one or more recognition elements that bind to the target molecule and/or the at least one variant. A signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the target molecule and/or a signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the at least one variant to the one or more recognition elements. The concentration of the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof is determined based on the signals. The system can comprise a receiver adapted to receive a sample comprising or suspected to comprise a target molecule and the at least one variant thereof, the receiver comprising one or more recognition elements that bind to one or more epitopes in the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof.

Abstract: In association with an imaging device which generates a portion of an image from a plurality of channels within a first row by sampling each channel during a sampling time corresponding to the channel, circuitry offsets sampling times of at least first and second channels within the first row, thereby reducing noise correlation between the first and second channels in the first row. Pixel sampling times may be defined by start times of the channels within a row, end times or both. Offsetting may be accomplished using a predetermined set of sampling time values or by randomizing sampling time values. Offsetting pixel sampling times of channels within a row relative to each other decorrelates channel sampling because different phases of the noise signal are sampled on each channel, effectively blurring or dithering the channel noise within each row. Random sampling within the channel, such as by varying a channel sampling time between rows, further dithers the noise within each channel.

Abstract: In association with an imaging device which generates a portion of an image from a plurality of channels within a first row by sampling each channel during a sampling time corresponding to the channel, circuitry offsets sampling times of at least first and second channels within the first row, thereby reducing noise correlation between the first and second channels in the first row. Pixel sampling times may be defined by start times of the channels within a row, end times or both. Offsetting may be accomplished using a predetermined set of sampling time values or by randomizing sampling time values.

Abstract: In association with an imaging device which generates a portion of an image from a plurality of channels within a first row by sampling each channel during a sampling time corresponding to the channel, circuitry offsets sampling times of at least first and second channels within the first row, thereby reducing noise correlation between the first and second channels in the first row. Pixel sampling times may be defined by start times of the channels within a row, end times or both. Offsetting may be accomplished using a predetermined set of sampling time values or by randomizing sampling time values.

Abstract: A thermally responsive composite material is provided, comprising a first layer, a second layer and a third layer where the third layer is between the first and second layers. The third layer comprises a material having a low glass transition or melting temperature while the first and second layers comprise material having higher glass transition or melting temperatures than the third material. The thermally responsive composite material also comprises a heating element in contact with the third layer. Methods for using the thermally responsive composite material are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a recycling and environmental debris chute that directs leaf, debris and recycling or other materials into a container for collection, and more particularly a foldable chute formed from a single sheet of material and insertable into a collection bag or flexible container to hold the bag or container open in an upright or laying down sideways position and facilitate directing leaves, debris and other material into the bag or container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a recycling and environmental debris chute that directs leaf, debris and recycling or other materials into a container for collection, and more particularly a foldable chute formed from a single sheet of material and insertable into a collection bag or flexible container to hold the bag or container open in an upright or laying down sideways position and facilitate directing leaves, debris and other material into the bag or container.

Abstract: A catheter has a section of the catheter shaft adjacent its proximal end in which an outer catheter wall and an inner catheter wall define a space therebetween. An electrode is disposed within the space defined between the inner and outer catheter walls. A magnetorheological fluid fills the space between the inner and outer catheter walls. When an electric current is passed through the electrode, the magnetorheological fluid stiffens, causing the section of the catheter shaft adjacent the proximal end to stiffen.

Abstract: This invention provides a receiver for use in a SDAR system which includes a receiving unit having satellite signal detection means for detecting a first transmit signal transmitted from a first communication satellite and a second transmit signal transmitted from a second communication satellite, the first transmit signal produced when the transmitter modulates a primary data stream with a secondary data stream on a first carrier wave associated with the first communication satellite and the second transmit signal produced when the transmitter modulates the primary and secondary data streams on a second carrier wave associated with the second communication satellite, and an encoder re-encodes the primary and the secondary data on a third carrier wave, forming a third transmit signal which is re-transmitted to a receiver using a terrestrial repeater. This invention also provides a method of receiving transmitted data.

Abstract: A technique for recording information received by a satellite digital audio radio (SDAR) receiver for playback encrypts content of a received SDAR channel using a local key that is unique to the SDAR receiver. The encrypted content is then stored for playback. When selected for playback, the stored encrypted content is decrypted with the local key and provided to the user.

Abstract: A method and system of communicating sub-synchronization information into a transmitted digital audio stream and extracting sub-synchronization information from a received digital audio stream is provided. The method includes the steps of having a transmitter introduce sub-synchronization information into a data stream at a period less than that of existing pre-amble signals, and transmitting that data to a receiver. The method further includes the steps of receiving the transmitted data stream in the receiver, extracting the synchronization information, and using the synchronization information to accurately decode the received audio data.

Abstract: A technique for determining a tuning frequency of an audio receiver includes interrupting a received radio frequency (RF) signal at an input of the audio receiver. Next, a modulated audio signal is injected into the input of the audio receiver. Then, it is determined whether the demodulated audio signal is present at an output of the audio receiver. If not, the frequency of the modulated audio signal is changed until the demodulated audio signal is detected at the output of the audio receiver.