Abstract: A lateral flow assay device of the present disclosure has numerous features to ensure correct operation of the device under gravity, such as vent pockets for enabling the flow of sample fluid from one chamber to the next when the vent pocket is unsealed. The vent pockets have protrusions to help prevent accidental resealing. The device also can have a gasket to ensure free air movement between open vent pockets. Flow control features that protrude horizontally into a chamber proximal to an outlet act to deflect the flow to the side of the chamber opposite from the outlet, prior to the flow entering the outlet. Such features can reduce the flow velocity of the sample fluid and increase the effective fluid flow path length, enhance mixing of reagents with a sample, and enabling more accurate control of fluid flow in the device.

Abstract: An automated method for performing an assay of the present disclosure can be performed in a microfluidic device that is a lateral flow device having numerous features to ensure correct operation of the device under gravity, such as vent pockets for enabling the flow of sample fluid from one chamber to the next when the vent pocket is unsealed. Each chamber can have a reagent recess proximal to an inlet end of the chamber. A reagent pellet formed in a reagent recess can be effectively mixed with a sample as the sample flows into the chamber. A flexible circuit with patterned metallic electrical components disposed on a heat stable material can be in direct contact with fluid in the chambers and has resistive heating elements aligned with, for example, a chamber for performing an amplification reaction.

Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) amplification devices are disclosed along with methods of providing power to an RF signal. In one embodiment, an RF amplification device includes an RF amplification circuit and a voltage regulation circuit. The RF amplification circuit includes a plurality of RF amplifier stages coupled in cascade. The voltage regulation circuit is coupled to provide a regulated voltage to a driver RF amplifier stage. The voltage regulation circuit is configured to generate the regulated voltage so that the maximum output power of the RF amplification circuit is provided approximately at a first power level while the supply voltage is above a threshold voltage level. The first power level should be within the physical capabilities of the RF amplification circuit, and thus, the RF amplification circuit is prevented from being damaged once the supply voltage is above the threshold voltage level.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises at least one transmit amplifier and rectification circuitry located in the at least one transmit amplifier, which is configured to receive a RF signal and provide a rectified voltage, which is selectably added to a voltage supplied by a battery to generate a DC voltage supply signal that is a function of RF power level. A controller is configured to select between providing the VBAT or the VSupply signal to a transmit switch depending on one or more of a logic state and a mode of operation. An alternate apparatus comprises a charge pump circuit configured to quickly raise a voltage supplied to it and store the output voltage on a capacitor and then either shift a first frequency provided by a charge pump oscillator to a lower second frequency or turn off a charge pump clock to maintain a voltage on the capacitor during a transmit mode.

Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) amplification devices are disclosed along with methods of providing power to an RF signal. In one embodiment, an RF amplification device includes an RF amplification circuit and a voltage regulation circuit. The RF amplification circuit includes a plurality of RF amplifier stages coupled in cascade. The voltage regulation circuit is coupled to provide a regulated voltage to a driver RF amplifier stage. The voltage regulation circuit is configured to generate the regulated voltage so that the maximum output power of the RF amplification circuit is provided approximately at a first power level while the supply voltage is above a threshold voltage level. The first power level should be within the physical capabilities of the RF amplification circuit, and thus, the RF amplification circuit is prevented from being damaged once the supply voltage is above the threshold voltage level.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to radio frequency (RF) amplification devices and methods for amplifying an RF input signal. To set the quiescent operating level of the RF output signal, a bias signal to be applied to the RF input signal is received prior to amplifying the RF input signal. The bias signal is amplified to generate the RF output signal at the quiescent operating level and a feedback signal is received that is indicative of the quiescent operating level of the RF output signal. Prior to amplifying the RF input signal, the bias signal level of the bias signal is adjusted such that the quiescent operating level is set to a reference signal level based on the feedback signal level. This allows for adjustments to be made to the quiescent operating level and maintain the quiescent operating level at a desired value.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to radio frequency (RF) amplification devices and methods for amplifying an RF input signal. To set the quiescent operating level of the RF output signal, a bias signal to be applied to the RF input signal is received prior to amplifying the RF input signal. The bias signal is amplified to generate the RF output signal at the quiescent operating level and a feedback signal is received that is indicative of the quiescent operating level of the RF output signal. Prior to amplifying the RF input signal, the bias signal level of the bias signal is adjusted such that the quiescent operating level is set to a reference signal level based on the feedback signal level. This allows for adjustments to be made to the quiescent operating level and maintain the quiescent operating level at a desired value.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises at least one transmit amplifier and rectification circuitry located in the at least one transmit amplifier, which is configured to receive a RF signal and provide a rectified voltage, which is selectably added to a voltage supplied by a battery to generate a DC voltage supply signal that is a function of RF power level. A controller is configured to select between providing the VBAT or the VSupply signal to a transmit switch depending on one or more of a logic state and a mode of operation. An alternate apparatus comprises a charge pump circuit configured to quickly raise a voltage supplied to it and store the output voltage on a capacitor and then either shift a first frequency provided by a charge pump oscillator to a lower second frequency or turn off a charge pump clock to maintain a voltage on the capacitor during a transmit mode.

Abstract: A container with a quantity of coating liquid includes a luminescent pigment and a paint base. An impeller is in proximity to the bottom of the container to keep the pigment in suspension in the paint base. The container also has a linear inlet slot and a linear outlet slot. A feeding assembly includes a supply roll, a take up roll and a plurality of idler rolls to move a plurality of nylon straps from the supply roll, across the take up rolls and through the container and liquid therein and to the take up roll. A drying assembly is provided for nylon straps moving between the outlet slot and the take up roll. Also provided is a method and material.

Abstract: A method for linearizing an amplifier to produce an amplified output signal from a set of carrier frequencies is disclosed in which a set of digital baseband signals corresponding to the set of carrier frequencies are combined to produce an extended digital baseband signal. Look-up values are then derived from the power values of the extended digital baseband signal and applied to a look-up table to obtain predistortion values. One or more predistorted signals are then produced by complex mixing the predistortion values with one of the set of extended digital baseband signals. The predistorted signal(s) are then amplified to produced an output signal which is linearly related to the set of digital baseband signals.

Abstract: Silica compositions for abrasive systems in dentifrice formulations are disclosed. The silica abrasive system comprises (a) silica gels having a median particle size below 7 microns, a pH of from about 6 to about 11 and powder RDA's of from 100 to about 200 and (b) silica gels or precipitates having a median particle size of 7 microns or greater and powder RDA's of from 50 to about 180. Silica (a) is preferably prepared by contacting a hydrous silica gel with an alkaline medium. Dentifrice compositions comprising the abrasive system has an RDA of 150 or less and PCR's of at least 80 and up to about 150, and an REA of less than about 30 (as measured on the IU scale).

Abstract: A method for predistorting a digital signal prior to amplification is disclosed in which a look-up table is computed using power values of digital input signal samples as look-up values. The look-up table is preferably a function of pre-measured calibration data. The look-up table is applied to digital input signals for producing the predistorted signal. Computing the look-up table may include determining a set of input power values, obtaining the pre-measured calibration data including an output power data value and phase data value of the amplifier corresponding to each of the input power values, and deriving a set of calibration power values using the output power data values. The calibration power values and the input power values are then used to derive amplitude predistortion calibration values while the phase data values are used to determine phase predistortion calibration values.

Abstract: 3-N-formyl derivatives of 3",6'-di-N-acyl-kanamycin A and 2',3",6'-tri-N-acyl-kanamycin B, process for their preparation, and their use as intermediates for production of antibacterially active 1-N-(substituted) derivatives of kanamycins A and B by alkylation and subsequent removal of the formyl and acyl groups.