Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of detecting lung, gastrointestinal tract, and systemic infections by measuring 13CO2/12CO2 isotopic ratios of gaseous carbon dioxide in exhaled breath samples of a subject after administration of a 13C-isotopically-labeled compound.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the condition of a ceramic coating deposited on a substrate comprising illuminating the ceramic coating with light, measuring the intensity of light returned from the ceramic coating as function of depth in the coating and transverse position on the coating, and analyzing the measured light intensities to obtain one or more of intensity of the light returned from the exposed coating surface relative to the intensity of light returned from the coating/substrate interface, intensity of the light returned from the coating/substrate interface relative to the intensity of light returned from the bulk of the ceramic coating, determination of roughness at the exposed surface of the ceramic coating, and determination of roughness of the interface between the ceramic coating and underlying bond coat or substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method (and related kit) for determination of the isotopic ratio of 13C to 12C in a gas sample containing carbon dioxide comprising introducing gas into a gas sample chamber, directing light into the sample chamber from a laser light source, the laser light source being capable of accessing one or more of the wavelength pairs 2054.37 and 2052.42; 2054.96 and 2051.67; or 2760.53 and 2760.08 nanometers, and with a detector detecting the laser light energy after passage through the sample chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method (and related kit) for determination of the isotopic ratio of 13C to 12C in a gas sample containing carbon dioxide comprising introducing gas into a gas sample chamber, directing light into the sample chamber from a laser light source, the laser light source being capable of accessing one or more of the wavelength pairs 2054.37 and 2052.42; 2054.96 and 2051.67; or 2760.53 and 2760.08 nanometers, and with a detector detecting the laser light energy after passage through the sample chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for differential spectral interferometry comprising providing an interferometer comprising a light source; employing an element to provide a dithered relative phase shift between target and reference arms of the interferometer, detecting output from the interferometer, demodulating signals received from the detector at different multiples of the dither frequencies, generating more than one real-valued interferograms from demodulated signals, and using the real-valued interferograms to obtain the complex spectral interferogram.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for differential spectral interferometry comprising providing an interferometer comprising a light source; employing an element to provide a dithered relative phase shift between target and reference arms of the interferometer, detecting output from the interferometer, demodulating signals received from the detector at different multiples of the dither frequencies, generating more than one real-valued interferograms from demodulated signals, and using the real-valued interferograms to obtain the complex spectral interferogram.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for spectral interferometry comprising providing an interferometer comprising a light source and dithering an element to provide a continuous relative phase shift between target and reference arms of the interferometer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for spectral interferometry comprising providing an interferometer comprising a light source and dithering an element to provide a continuous relative phase shift between target and reference arms of the interferometer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a placemat device, which is intended for use by children, whereby the placement device has a sheet member and a scoop, with the scoop designed to receive and hold the sheet member when put in a storage position. Additionally, the placemat can include indicia, which is intended for children.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a placemat device, which is intended for use by children, whereby the placement device has a sheet member and a scoop, with the scoop designed to receive and hold the sheet member when put in a storage position. Additionally, the placemat can include indicia, which is intended for children.