Abstract: A method for determining an amount of moisture on a surface of a substrate includes a step of transmitting a transmitter signal to generate a wave. The transmitter signal has a first phase. The wave is propagated to vibrate the surface. Vibrations in the surface are detected and converted into a receiver signal. The receiver signal has a second phase different than the first phase. The method includes the step of sensing the temperature of the substrate. The amount of moisture on the surface is computed based on a phase shift between the transmitter signal and the receiver signal that has been compensated to account for surface temperature.

Abstract: A method for determining an amount of moisture on a surface of a substrate includes a step of transmitting a transmitter signal to generate a wave. The transmitter signal has a first phase. The wave is propagated to vibrate the surface. Vibrations in the surface are detected and converted into a receiver signal. The receiver signal has a second phase different than the first phase. The method includes the step of sensing the temperature of the substrate. The amount of moisture on the surface is computed based on a phase shift between the transmitter signal and the receiver signal that has been compensated to account for surface temperature.

Abstract: A sensing system computes an amount of moisture on a surface of a substrate, such as a window of a vehicle. The sensing system includes a transmitter which produces a wave to propagate through the substrate. A receiver receives the wave which propagated through the substrate. A phase shift detection circuit measures a phase shift between signals representing the transmitted and received wave. A temperature sensor senses a temperature of the substrate. A controller, in communication with the phase shift detection circuit and the temperature sensor, calculates the amount of moisture on the surface based on the phase shift and the temperature of the substrate. A wiper motor and wiper blade may then be actuated automatically based on the amount of moisture calculated to clear the moisture on the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for determining whether a subject possesses altered pain sensitivity an altered risk of developing acute or chronic pain, or diagnosing a tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4)-related disorder or a propensity thereto. These methods are based on the discovery of GCH1 and KCNS1 allelic variants that are associated with altered pain sensitivity and altered risk of developing acute or chronic pain, and the discovery that a GCH1 “pain protective haplotype” is associated with decreased upregulation of BH4 synthesis in treated leukocytes.