Abstract: A test strip for sampling a bodily fluid may include multiple layers of a substrate material, an adhesive between at least some of the multiple layers, and a microfluidic channel formed between at least some of the multiple layers. The test strip may further include multiple electrodes on one of the multiple layers, positioned and partially exposed within the microfluidic channel, an additional material positioned at or near an entrance to the microfluidic channel, to selectively limit the flow of at least one of bubbles or debris into the microfluidic channel, and at least one exit port in at least one of the multiple layers to allow for release of pressure from the test strip. In some embodiments, the test strip is a saliva analysis test strip. In some embodiments, the test strip includes multiple exit ports to prevent blockage of sample flow.

Abstract: A method for using saliva to measure at least one substance or physiological parameter of a human or animal subject may involve inserting a first end of a sensor into a handheld saliva testing device. The method may also involve receiving saliva from the subject on a second end of the sensor, moving the saliva from the second end of the sensor to the first end, and processing the saliva with the handheld saliva testing device to provide initial saliva data related to the at least one substance or physiological parameter of the subject. In some embodiments, the sensor remains inserted in the handheld device while the subject deposits saliva on the opposite, free end of the sensor.

Abstract: Phased arrays to be used for Tx and Rx communications in different frequency bands are disclosed. The phased arrays presented herein are non-uniformly thinned half-duplex phased arrays with dual-band antenna elements. Such phased arrays are “half-duplex” in that they are configured for communication in one direction at a time, i.e., either for Tx or for Rx, while utilizing a common array. Such phased arrays are “with dual-band antenna elements” in that, in addition to using antenna elements configured for Tx or for Rx only, they implement some antenna elements that are configured for both Tx and Rx. Such phased arrays are “thinned” in that they are formed according to a method of optimizing array geometry known as “thinning.” Such phased arrays are thinned “non-uniformly” in that different antenna elements used for Tx may have different numbers of nearest and/or second-nearest neighbor antenna elements used for Rx, or vice versa.

Abstract: Phased arrays to be used for Tx and Rx communications in different frequency bands are disclosed. The phased arrays presented herein are non-uniformly thinned half-duplex phased arrays with dual-band antenna elements. Such phased arrays are “half-duplex” in that they are configured for communication in one direction at a time, i.e., either for Tx or for Rx, while utilizing a common array. Such phased arrays are “with dual-band antenna elements” in that, in addition to using antenna elements configured for Tx or for Rx only, they implement some antenna elements that are configured for both Tx and Rx. Such phased arrays are “thinned” in that they are formed according to a method of optimizing array geometry known as “thinning.” Such phased arrays are thinned “non-uniformly” in that different antenna elements used for Tx may have different numbers of nearest and/or second-nearest neighbor antenna elements used for Rx, or vice versa.

Abstract: A test strip for sampling a bodily fluid may include multiple layers of a substrate material, an adhesive between at least some of the multiple layers, and a microfluidic channel formed between at least some of the multiple layers. The test strip may further include multiple electrodes on one of the multiple layers, positioned and partially exposed within the microfluidic channel, an additional material positioned at or near an entrance to the microfluidic channel, to selectively limit the flow of at least one of bubbles or debris into the microfluidic channel, and at least one exit port in at least one of the multiple layers to allow for release of pressure from the test strip. In some embodiments, the test strip is a saliva analysis test strip. In some embodiments, the test strip includes multiple exit ports to prevent blockage of sample flow.

Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte in a bodily fluid sample and combining measurement data from multiple users may involve initiating a wireless connection between a handheld analyzer and a smart computing device on which an analyte analysis application has been downloaded and inserting a test strip into the handheld analyzer. The method may further involve collecting a sample of a bodily fluid on the test strip, measuring, with the handheld analyzer, a concentration of at least one analyte in the sample, wirelessly communicating the measured concentration from the handheld analyzer to the smart computing device, and displaying the measured concentration on the smart computing device. Finally, the method may involve transmitting the measured concentration to a database and organizing data including the measured concentration and at least one additional measured analyte concentration from at least one additional user on the database.

Abstract: A method for using saliva to measure at least one substance or physiological parameter of a human or animal subject may involve inserting a first end of a sensor into a handheld saliva testing device. The method may also involve receiving saliva from the subject on a second end of the sensor, moving the saliva from the second end of the sensor to the first end, and processing the saliva with the handheld saliva testing device to provide initial saliva data related to the at least one substance or physiological parameter of the subject. In some embodiments, the sensor remains inserted in the handheld device while the subject deposits saliva on the opposite, free end of the sensor.

Abstract: To optimize training data used by a predictive real-estate valuation model, a search space having multiple dimensions may be defined. Each search dimension corresponds to a range of candidate values for a search criterion for selecting subsets of sales-transaction records. The multiple dimensions include a temporal dimension and a geographic dimension. An accuracy-optimized subset of a multiplicity of sales-transaction records is identified by evaluating points that vary along each dimension within the multi-dimension search space. A statistical measure of model accuracy is used to evaluate each candidate point. The accuracy-optimized subset of the multiplicity of sales-transaction records is provided to a predictive model to generate an automated value prediction for a subject real-estate property as of an effective date.

Abstract: To optimize training data used by a predictive real-estate valuation model, a search space having multiple dimensions may be defined. Each search dimension corresponds to a range of candidate values for a search criterion for selecting subsets of sales-transaction records. The multiple dimensions include a temporal dimension and a geographic dimension. An accuracy-optimized subset of a multiplicity of sales-transaction records is identified by evaluating points that vary along each dimension within the multi-dimension search space. A statistical measure of model accuracy is used to evaluate each candidate point. The accuracy-optimized subset of the multiplicity of sales-transaction records is provided to a predictive model to generate an automated value prediction for a subject real-estate property as of an effective date.