Abstract: Disclosed herein are immunoassay methods and reagents for detecting anti-Zika IgM antibody in a biological sample from a subject and/or diagnosing Zika virus infection in a subject. Also disclosed are algorithms for implementing the disclosed methods. The disclosed immunoassay methods, reagents, and algorithms enable efficient and reliable qualitative detection of anti-Zika virus antibodies and rapid determination of presumptive positive results for Zika virus infection in human subjects.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for processing a voice input. The method includes identifying a first candidate text output from a first list of candidate text outputs, the first list of candidate text outputs being generated based on a voice input being received from a user. The method includes validating a feasibility of executing the first candidate text output based on an analysis of a first contextual data related to the first candidate text output, user-specific data, historical data related to previous validations of the voice assistant device, and one of an execution result or a no-action result corresponding to the first candidate text output. The method includes, based on the feasibility of executing the first candidate text output being validated as not feasible for execution, identifying failure information associated with the first candidate text output.

Abstract: Methods of utilizing sample lysis reagent compositions in the handling of samples containing viruses, such as (but not limited to) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), are disclosed. Kits containing the sample lysis reagent compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some implementations include methods for communicating features of images to visually impaired users. An image to be displayed on a touch sensitive screen of a computing device may include one or more objects. Each of the one or more objects may be associated with a bounding box. A contact with the image may be detected via the touch sensitive screen. The contact may be determined to be within a bounding box associated with a first object of the one or more objects. Responsive to detecting the contact to be within the bounding box associated with the first object, a caption of the first object may be caused to become audible and the touch sensitive screen may be caused to vibrate based on a vibration pattern unique to the first object.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are immunoassay methods and reagents for detecting anti-Zika IgM antibody in a biological sample from a subject and/or diagnosing Zika virus infection in a subject. Also disclosed are algorithms for implementing the disclosed methods. The disclosed immunoassay methods, reagents, and algorithms enable efficient and reliable qualitative detection of anti-Zika virus antibodies and rapid determination of presumptive positive results for Zika virus infection in human subjects.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are immunoassay methods and reagents for detecting anti-Zika IgM antibody in a biological sample from a subject and/or diagnosing Zika virus infection in a subject. Also disclosed are algorithms for implementing the disclosed methods. The disclosed immunoassay methods, reagents, and algorithms enable efficient and reliable qualitative detection of anti-Zika virus antibodies and rapid determination of presumptive positive results for Zika virus infection in human subjects.

Abstract: Some implementations include methods for communicating features of images to visually impaired users. An image to be displayed on a touch sensitive screen of a computing device may include one or more objects. Each of the one or more objects may be associated with a bounding box. A contact with the image may be detected via the touch sensitive screen. The contact may be determined to be within a bounding box associated with a first object of the one or more objects. Responsive to detecting the contact to be within the bounding box associated with the first object, a caption of the first object may be caused to become audible and the touch sensitive screen may be caused to vibrate based on a vibration pattern unique to the first object.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are immunoassay methods and reagents for detecting anti-Zika IgM antibody in a biological sample from a subject and/or diagnosing Zika virus infection in a subject. Also disclosed are algorithms for implementing the disclosed methods. The disclosed immunoassay methods, reagents, and algorithms enable efficient and reliable qualitative detection of anti-Zika virus antibodies and rapid determination of presumptive positive results for Zika virus infection in human subjects.

Abstract: A fuel basket spacer, and system and method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials comprising: a body having a cavity for receiving radioactive materials; a basket positioned in the cavity comprising a plurality of cells; and a structure having an outer surface and an inner surface forming a central passageway; the structure positioned in the cavity so that the basket extends through the central passageway of the structure; and wherein the internal perimeter of the structure corresponds to the external perimeter of the basket in size and shape and the external perimeter of the structure corresponds to the perimeter of the cavity in size and shape. Circumferential clearances are provided between structure and the basket and the structure and the body that are eliminated when exposed to a residual heat load of the radioactive waste.

Abstract: A fuel basket apparatus, system and method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus suitable for transporting and/or storing spent nuclear fuel rods comprising: a basket formed from a honeycomb-like gridwork of plates arranged in a rectilinear configuration, the gridwork of plates forming a plurality of cells for receiving spent nuclear fuel rods; the basket comprising one or more flux traps that regulate production of neutron radiation; and wherein the plates are constructed of a metal matrix composite material.

Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with spent nuclear fuel is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with spent nuclear fuel comprising: a canister forming the cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet; a source of non-reactive gas; means for flowing the non-reactive gas from the source of non-reactive gas through the cavity; and means for repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with high level waste (“HLW”) is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with HLW comprising: a canister forming the cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet; and a source of non-reactive gas. The system further flows the non-reactive gas from the source of non-reactive gas through the cavity; and repetitively measures the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with high level waste (“HLW”) is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with HLW comprising: a canister forming the cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet; a source of non-reactive gas; means for flowing the non-reactive gas from the source of non-reactive gas through the cavity; and means for repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with high level waste (“HLW”) is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a method comprising: a) flowing a non-reactive gas through the cavity; b) repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity; and c) upon the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity reaching and remaining below a predetermined dew point temperature for a predetermined time, discontinuing the flow of the non-reactive gas and sealing the cavity. In another aspect, the invention is a system designed to carry out the method.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is a specially designed ring-like structure for providing neutron and gamma radiation shielding for high level radioactive materials that produce residual heat. In another aspect, the invention is an apparatus for storing radioactive waste comprising a plurality of the ring-like structures arranged in a stacked assembly that completely surrounds an internal containment boundary. Collars can be provided at the ring-to-ring interfaces. The ring-like structures can have specially geometrically designed and/or arranged voids for receiving neutron absorbing materials that completely surrounds the containment boundary with the neutron shielding material.

Abstract: A canister apparatus, basket apparatus and combinations thereof for transporting and/or storing high level radioactive waste, such as spent nuclear fuel. The canister apparatus comprises a cavity for receiving the spent nuclear fuel that is surrounded by two independent gas-tight containment boundaries. The structures that form the two independent gas-tight containment boundaries are in substantially continuous surface contact with one another, thereby facilitating sufficient heat removal from the cavity. In another aspect, the invention is a basket apparatus having a plurality of disk-like grates arranged in a stacked and spaced arrangement so that the cells of the disk-like grates are aligned. In still another aspect, the invention can be a basket apparatus having a disk-like grate having a ring-like structure encompassing a gridwork of beams specially arranged to achieve a unique cell configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system of preparing a canister having a cavity loaded with wet radioactive elements for dry storage, the method comprising: (a) providing a gas circulation system comprising means for removing moisture from gas; (b) connecting the gas circulation system to the canister so as to form a hermetically sealed closed-loop path that includes the cavity; and (c) circulating a non-reactive gas through the hermetically sealed closed-loop path until a desired vapor pressure is achieved in the cavity of the canister, the circulating non-reactive gas becoming wetted as the non-reactive gas flows through the canister and dried as the non-reactive gas flows through the moisture removal means.

Abstract: A fuel basket apparatus, system and method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus suitable for transporting and/or storing spent nuclear fuel rods comprising: a basket formed from a honeycomb-like gridwork of plates arranged in a rectilinear configuration, the gridwork of plates forming a plurality of cells for receiving spent nuclear fuel rods; the basket comprising one or more flux traps that regulate production of neutron radiation; and wherein the plates are constructed of a metal matrix composite material.

Abstract: A fuel basket spacer, and system and method using the same for storing high level radioactive waste.

Abstract: A transfer cask for maximizing the radiation shielding for spent nuclear fuel during cask transfer procedures has a cylindrical inner shell forming a cavity within which a spent nuclear fuel canister can be placed; a cylindrical outer shell concentric with and surrounding the inner shell to form an annulus with the inner shell, the annulus adapted for receiving gamma absorbing material; a jacket shell concentric with and surrounding the second shell to form a jacket for holding a neutron absorbing liquid; the jacket shell having filling and drainage systems; and a removable bottom lid so that a canister can be lowered from the cavity into a transport cask or permanent storage cask.