Abstract: Among other things, methods and systems are described for detecting chemicals including explosive materials. For example, a system for detecting materials includes a sample gathering unit designed to obtain a portion of a target material to be tested. In addition, the system includes a sample holding unit that has a first end designed to attach to the sample gathering unit and form a housing that retains at least the obtained portion of the target material. Further, a reagent holding unit is included and designed to attach to a second end of the sample holding unit. The reagent holding unit is designed to introduce the reagent into the formed housing to mix with the obtained target material and start a chemical reaction.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic setup in web-based applications is provided. A plurality of HTTP requests and a plurality of responses between a client and a server are captured. The plurality of HTTP requests and responses are matched in a special order to extract one or more meaningful actions. One or more meaningful actions are recorded in time sequence. And the recorded meaningful actions are replayed when automatically setting up in web-based applications.

Abstract: Designs, fabrication and applications of nanostructures made of an alloy of two or more different metal elements to provide a unique identification code based on the composition of the alloy. Such compositionally encoded nanostructures can be in various geometries including but not limited to nanoparticles, nanowires and nanotubes. In one example, a single-step electroplating process may be used to form alloy nanowires without separate electroplating steps.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analysis array comprising heatable electrodes and methods for chemical and biochemical analysis. According to the invention, the surface (1) of at least one heatable electrode (13) is brought to a specific homogeneous temperature for chemical and biochemical analysis. The cross-sectional area of the electrode (1) varies along the longitudinal axis (8), and/or at least the heating current contacts (5, 5?) are insulated by means of a coating (4, 4?). According to the methods for simultaneously determining at least one chemical and/or biochemical substance, the individual electrodes are brought to a specific homogeneous temperature, respectively, the temperature being regulated by measuring the resistance and adjusting the heating current.

Abstract: Methods and devices for electrochemical detection of a specific binding pair member utilizing a microsphere with an incorporated electroactive marker, wherein a member of the specific binding pair to be detected is bound, directly or through one or more intermediates, to the microsphere. Multiple specific binding pair members may be detected by use of electrochemically distinguishable electroactive markers. Microspheres with incorporated electroactive markers may include one or more functional groups for binding members of specific binding pairs, and are preferably insoluble in aqueous solvents but soluble in selected organic solvents.

Abstract: A sequential filtration process has been developed to reduce the content of carbohydrate, such as lactose, in milk feed stocks such as whole, low fat, skim milk, and milk powder. The milk product produced with the inventive process can be classified as a lactose-removed milk product.

Abstract: A dual sensor for the simultaneous amperometric monitoring of glucose and insulin, wherein the glucose probe is based on the biocatalytic action of glucose oxidase, and the insulin probe is based on the electrocatalytic activity of metal oxide. Further provided is an oxidase enzyme composite electrode with an internal oxygen-rich binder. The present invention also optionally includes metallizing components within the carbon paste to eliminate signals from interfering compounds. The present invention includes embodiments for both in vitro and in vivo uses.

Abstract: An apparatus for conducting a microfluidic process and analysis, including at least one elongated microfluidic channel, fluidic transport means for transport of fluids through the microfluidic channel, and at least one thick-film electrode in fluidic connection with the outlet end of the microfluidic channel. The present invention includes an integrated on-chip combination reaction, separation and thick-film electrochemical detection microsystem, for use in detection of a wide range of analytes, and methods for the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention describes a partial independent component analysis (PICA) technique for blindly separating partially independent and/or gaussian-like sources from mixed observations over an informative index subspace, which allows various applications in independent component imaging. The present invention estimates a demixing matrix using only the independent and/or nongaussian portion of the observations. Specifically, rather than using all the data points which give rise to a large separation error, a subset of the data points is identified such that the partial source profiles defined over such a subset are statistically independent and/or nongaussian. The present invention describes a complete implementation of such a technique, whose steps and parameters may be achieved and estimated using an information theoretic-based neural computational algorithm.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant power supply module for a personal computer processor includes a primary frame that has two corresponding slide racks located therein to form a retrieval space to house a power supply device and a secondary frame fastened to a seal side of the primary frame with a front end formed a power supply socket cluster. The retrieval space corresponds to a wide span area of a preset opening formed on the rear end of the personal computer processor and the power supply socket cluster corresponds to a narrow span area of the opening such that the structure conforms to existing common opening specifications and also can accommodate the retrievable fault-tolerant power supply module.

Abstract: Methods and devices for electrochemical detection of a specific binding pair member utilizing a microsphere with an incorporated electroactive marker, wherein a member of the specific binding pair to be detected is bound, directly or through one or more intermediates, to the microsphere. Multiple specific binding pair members may be detected by use of electrochemically distinguishable electroactive markers. Microspheres with incorporated electroactive markers may include one or more functional groups for binding members of specific binding pairs, and are preferably insoluble in aqueous solvents but soluble in selected organic solvents.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant power supply module for a personal computer processor includes a primary frame that has two corresponding slide racks located therein to form a retrieval space to house a power supply device and a secondary frame fastened to a seal side of the primary frame with a front end formed a power supply socket cluster. The retrieval space corresponds to a wide span area of a preset opening formed on the rear end of the personal computer processor and the power supply socket cluster corresponds to a narrow span area of the opening such that the structure conforms to existing common opening specifications and also can accommodate the retrievable fault-tolerant power supply module.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for trace metal detection and analysis using bismuth-coated electrodes and electrochemical stripping analysis. Both anodic stripping voltammetry and adsorptive stripping analysis may be employed.

Abstract: The present invention describes a partial independent component analysis (PICA) technique for blindly separating partially independent and/or gaussian-like sources from mixed observations over an informative index subspace, which allows various applications in independent component imaging. The present invention estimates a demixing matrix using only the independent and/or nongaussian portion of the observations. Specifically, rather than using all the data points which give rise to a large separation error, a subset of the data points is identified such that the partial source profiles defined over such a subset are statistically independent and/or nongaussian. The present invention describes a complete implementation of such a technique, whose steps and parameters may be achieved and estimated using an information theoretic-based neural computational algorithm.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlled release of nucleotides from electrodes utilizing potential difference for use in delivering the nucleotide into an organism. The frequency, duration and rate of release may be specifically controlled to obtain optimal release of the nucleotide. The apparatus and method may be used in conjunction with methods for electroporation, wherein the nucleotide may transit the cell membrane, and move into the cell. Alternatively, the apparatus and method may be used in conjunction with complexes of DNA and lipids or other carriers, which complexes will transit the cell membrane and move into the cell. The apparatus and method may be used for gene therapy, for use in treatment of any of a wide variety of diseases.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization utilizing oligonucleotide-containing polymer-coated electrodes, and an apparatus for electrochemical detection of nucleic acids in flowing streams using doped polymer-coated electrodes. Also provided are methods for detection of DNA hybridization and for detection of nucleic acids in flowing streams.

Abstract: An improved housing for a power supply. A lateral seat plate is inserted into a supporting structure of the housing. The lateral seat place includes an inserting surface and a supporting surface. Two lateral sides at the lower edge of the supporting surface are installed with buckling grooves adapted to be buckled by the buckles of the supporting structure. One outer lateral side of the two buckling grooves is extended with a top braking portion. The two top braking portions are engaged with two buckles.

Abstract: A thick-film sensing apparatus for nucleic acid determination and testing using potentiometric stripping analysis, including two methods for nucleic acid detection at the microfabricated strips, both methods being designed for use with the thick-film sensing apparatus. The present invention is applicable for broad use in nucleic acid analysis, particularly for measurement of nucleic acids (e.g., DNA and RNA), and their sequences and interactions, and for detection of DNA damage, at thick-film electrodes, based on stripping potentiometry.

Abstract: A new electrochemical probe(s) design allowing for continuous (renewable) reagent delivery. The probe comprises an integrated membrane-sampling/electrochemical sensor that prevents interferences from surface-active materials and greatly extends the linear range. The probe(s) is useful for remote or laboratory-based monitoring in connection with microdialysis sampling and electrochemical measurements of metals and organic compounds that are not readily detected in the absence of reacting with the compound. Also disclosed is a method of using the probe(s).

Abstract: A power supply assembly for use in a desktop computer is disclosed. The power supply assembly includes a frame consisting of a base plate, two side plates connected with the base plate and a connector sub-assembly attached to the base plate. Each of the side plates defines a tenon along its length. The connector sub-assembly includes a printed circuit board attached to the base plate, a power supply connector defining a first connecting side for connection with a power supply, a first golden finger contact and an expansion connector defining a second connecting side for connection with a second golden finger contact on another connector sub-assembly of another power supply assembly. A power supply has two side walls each defining a mortise fittingly engaging with a corresponding one of the tenons of the side plates of the frame and a third golden finger contact in connection with the first connecting side of the power supply connector.