Abstract: A diverter valve which includes a valve body, an inlet, a plurality of outlets, an internal cavity to which the inlet and the outlets are connected, and a valve member which is movably positioned in the cavity. The valve member includes a through bore which is configured to connect the inlet with a corresponding one of the outlets for each of a plurality of operative positions of the valve member. In operation of the diverter valve, the valve member is movable between its operative positions to selectively connect the inlet with any one of the outlets.

Abstract: The inventions provide immunoassays for reducing the effects of interference in the detection and quantification of analytes, including but not limited to cytokines, enzymes, antibodies, and others by acidifying samples and allowing for binding of the analytes and corresponding capture reagents in the acidified samples without neutralization.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards modifying binding molecules in order to minimize pre-existing binding interactions, including binding molecules engineered to minimize or mitigate background reactivity in a sample matrix caused by drug non-specific binding interactions.

Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to methods of determining concentrations of drugs and their targets. In particular, the present invention, in part, pertains to use of a mild acidic assay condition to determine total drug and total target concentrations to mitigate either target interference or drug interference. The present invention also discloses a free target assay using a capture agent that has a lower affinity with a much slower association and dissociation rate compared to the drug.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards modifying binding molecules in order to minimize pre-existing binding interactions, including binding molecules engineered to minimize or mitigate background reactivity in a sample matrix caused by drug non-specific binding interactions.

Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to methods of testing the concentration of therapeutic proteins and testing for the presence of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) against therapeutic proteins. In particular, the present invention pertains to the use of mitigating agents against interfering competing drugs in ligand binding assays or cell-based assays for the quantification of therapeutic proteins and detection of anti-drug antibodies and neutralizing antibodies against therapeutic proteins.

Abstract: The use of pre-formed arrays of memristors such as ReRAMs for true random number generation is disclosed. The method exploits the natural randomness in the large stochastic cell-to-cell variations in resistance values at low injected current in the pre-formed range. This novel TRNG scheme can be designed with three interconnected blocks: i) a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) that is acting as an extended output function (XOF) to generate a stream of addresses pointing randomly at the array of ReRAM cells; ii) a method to read the resistance values of these cells at low injected current and convert the values in a stream of random bits; and, if needed, iii) methods to further enhance the randomness of this stream such as, but not limited to, mathematical, Boolean, and cryptographic algorithms.

Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to methods of testing for the presence of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against therapeutic proteins. In particular, the present invention pertains to the use of mitigating agents against interfering competing drugs in ligand binding assays or cell-based assays for the detection of neutralizing antibodies against therapeutic proteins.

Abstract: A diverter valve which includes a valve body, an inlet, a plurality of outlets, an internal cavity to which the inlet and the outlets are connected, and a valve member which is movably positioned in the cavity. The valve member includes a through bore which is configured to connect the inlet with a corresponding one of the outlets for each of a plurality of operative positions of the valve member. In operation of the diverter valve, the valve member is movable between its operative positions to selectively connect the inlet with any one of the outlets.

Abstract: A check valve which includes a valve body having an inlet end, an outlet end and a flow bore that extends between the inlet and outlet ends; a valve seat which is positioned across the flow bore; and a flapper which is configured to seal against the valve seat. The flapper is connected to or formed integrally with a pivot pin and is pivotable between a closed position in which the flapper is positioned against the valve seat and an open position in which the flapper is displaced from the valve seat. The pivot pin has opposite first and second ends, each of which is supported in a corresponding resilient bushing which is supported in the valve body. The resilient bushings allow the flapper to better align with the valve seat when the flapper is in the closed position.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting and quantifying cytokines are provided. The disclosed assays have reduced assay interference relative to commercially available assays and/or a control assay. The interference can be cytokine dependent, cytokine independent, or both. One embodiment provides an IL-33 immunoassay that reduces assay interference caused by endogenous soluble IL-33 binding molecules present in the sample. Exemplary soluble IL-33 binding molecules include, but are not limited to anti-IL-33 antibodies, soluble ST2 receptor, and serum components. In some embodiments a blocking agent is added to the sample to reduce, inhibit, or block IL-33 complexes in the sample from reforming after acid dissociation of the IL-33 complexes in the sample. In one embodiment, the blocking agent and the detection reagent do not compete for binding to IL-33.

Abstract: Improved assays for the detection and optionally the quantification of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) in a sample are provided. The disclosed assays include a protein drug capture assay format and a protein drug target capture assay format, each of which have certain advantages over existing assays.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards modifying binding molecules in order to minimize pre-existing binding interactions, including binding molecules engineered to minimize or mitigate background reactivity in a sample matrix caused by drug non-specific binding interactions.

Abstract: A immunogenicity assay for detecting the presence of neutralizing antibodies to a biotherapeutic protein wherein the biotherapeutic protein has been administered to a patient in need, comprising the steps of (a) obtaining a sample from the patient; (b) incubating the sample in the presence of a capture reagent; and (c) adding a detecting reagent, wherein a decreased signal relative to a control sample indicates the presence of a neutralizing antibody to the biotherapeutic agent.

Abstract: A method for detecting and mitigating excessive clutch disc wear for a manual transmission includes determining if a clutch pedal position is depressed greater than or equal to a first predetermined pedal position threshold and if the vehicle speed is less than or equal to a predetermined vehicle speed threshold. The method further includes determining if the clutch pedal position is depressed greater than or equal to a second predetermined pedal position threshold when the clutch pedal position is depressed less than the first predetermined pedal position threshold. The method still further includes calculating a clutch disc heat flux value and a clutch disc surface temperature. The method further includes displaying an alert/warning and a remedial action message to a vehicle operator when the clutch disc surface temperature is greater than or equal to a predetermined surface temperature threshold.

Abstract: A method for detecting and mitigating excessive clutch disc wear for a manual transmission includes determining if a clutch pedal position is depressed greater than or equal to a first predetermined pedal position threshold and if the vehicle speed is less than or equal to a predetermined vehicle speed threshold. The method further includes determining if the clutch pedal position is depressed greater than or equal to a second predetermined pedal position threshold when the clutch pedal position is depressed less than the first predetermined pedal position threshold. The method still further includes calculating a clutch disc heat flux value and a clutch disc surface temperature. The method further includes displaying an alert/warning and a remedial action message to a vehicle operator when the clutch disc surface temperature is greater than or equal to a predetermined surface temperature threshold.

Abstract: A immunogenicity assay for detecting the presence of neutralizing antibodies to a biotherapeutic protein wherein the biotherapeutic protein has been administered to a patient in need, comprising the steps of (a) obtaining a sample from the patient; (b) incubating the sample in the presence of a capture reagent; and (c) adding a detecting reagent, wherein a decreased signal relative to a control sample indicates the presence of a neutralizing antibody to the biotherapeutic agent.

Abstract: A linear position sensor assembly having a magnetic shield minimizes interference (noise) from adjacent electrical and electromagnetic devices, particularly solenoids. The sensor assembly includes a permanent magnet linear contactless displacement (PLCD) sensor comprising a pair of magnetic field sensors which are spaced apart by a member of high magnetic permeability such as a metal bar. The sensors and metal bar are enclosed, i.e., surrounded on three sides, by a cover or shield of high magnetic permeability material such as steel or mu metal, for example. A permanent magnet is disposed in sensed proximity to the sensors and translates with a clutch actuator component. When the clutch actuator component translates axially, the two field sensors provide a signal to associated electronics having high linearity, low noise and no deadband.

Abstract: A selectable mass flywheel assembly for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes a first mass and a second mass. The first mass is connected to a crankshaft of an engine and the second mass engages with a clutch to transfer torque from the engine to a transmission. The two masses are rotationally coupled to each other with a spring and damper assembly. The flywheel assembly further includes a locking mechanism that engages both masses during the startup of the engine to lock the two masses together to minimize the vibrations and pulsations in the powertrain during startup of the engine.

Abstract: A linear position sensor assembly having a magnetic shield minimizes interference (noise) from adjacent electrical and electromagnetic devices, particularly solenoids. The sensor assembly includes a permanent magnet linear contactless displacement (PLCD) sensor comprising a pair of magnetic field sensors which are spaced apart by a member of high magnetic permeability such as a metal bar. The sensors and metal bar are enclosed, i.e., surrounded on three sides, by a cover or shield of high magnetic permeability material such as steel or mu metal, for example. A permanent magnet is disposed in sensed proximity to the sensors and translates with a clutch actuator component. When the clutch actuator component translates axially, the two field sensors provide a signal to associated electronics having high linearity, low noise and no deadband.