Abstract: The invention provides a method of diagnosing arthritis or other joint degrading disease in a subject which comprises determining whether there is a presence or increase of lubricin having a joint tissue posttranslational modification, in a blood sample from the subject, the presence or increase of the lubricin having the joint tissue posttranslational modification indicating arthritis or other joint degrading disease in the subject. The invention further provides a kit or protocol for detecting arthritis or other joint degrading disease by detecting lubricin, the lubricin comprising a joint tissue posttranslational modification.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of diagnosing arthritis or other joint degrading disease in a subject which comprises determining whether there is a presence or increase of lubricin having a joint tissue posttranslational modification, in a blood sample from the subject, the presence or increase of the lubricin having the joint tissue posttranslational modification indicating arthritis or other joint degrading disease in the subject. The invention further provides a kit or protocol for detecting arthritis or other joint degrading disease by detecting lubricin, the lubricin comprising a joint tissue posttranslational modification.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operation of a sensor is provided. The method comprises the step of representing the operation of the sensor by: i) storing a plurality of data values, each data value corresponding to the sensor output signal, wherein said step is performed during a time period such that said data values are distributed over a range of possible data values, ii) defining a plurality of discrete intervals within said range of possible data values; and iii) calculating the frequency of the data values within each interval thus forming a sensor representation. The method further comprises the steps of receiving at least one reference sensor representation; and comparing said sensor representation with said at least one reference sensor representation.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operation of a sensor is provided. The method comprises the step of representing the operation of the sensor by: i) storing a plurality of data values, each data value corresponding to the sensor output signal, wherein said step is performed during a time period such that said data values are distributed over a range of possible data values, ii) defining a plurality of discrete intervals within said range of possible data values; and iii) calculating the frequency of the data values within each interval thus forming a sensor representation. The method further comprises the steps of receiving at least one reference sensor representation; and comparing said sensor representation with said at least one reference sensor representation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swivel device, in particular designed to connect two pipes or hoses rotating relative to one another, wherein the device (10) includes a first centre part (20) provided with a hole and comprising a fastening portion (22) for the attachment of a first pipe, the device (10) includes a second centre part (30) provided with a hole and comprising a fastening portion (32) for the attachment of a second pipe, the first centre part (20) and the second centre part (30) being rotatable relative to one another. The centre parts (20, 30) are held together by means of an outer sleeve (150) anchored at one end to the second centre part (30) and at its other end arranged in a rotationally slidable manner relative to the first centre part (20). A first axial sliding bearing (140) is arranged between the outer sleeve (150) and the first centre part (20) and a second axial sliding bearing (190) is arranged between the first centre part (20) and the second centre part (30).

Abstract: A procedure for checking the functionality of a metering valve (310) of a reducing agent system of a combustion engine, at which the metering device (105) is advanced from a tank (100) to the metering valve (310) with the aid of a controllable pump (12) at a constant pressure, comprising the metering valve (310) is impinged with a control variable that characterizes the causing of a status change of the metering valve (310), a variable is detected that characterized the flow rate of the pump (120), from this variable that characterizes the flow rate the functionality of the metering valve (310) is assumed.

Abstract: A procedure for checking the functionality of a metering valve (310) of a reducing agent system of a combustion engine, at which the metering device (105) is advanced from a tank (100) to the metering valve (310) with the aid of a controllable pump (12) at a constant pressure, comprising the metering valve (310) is impinged with a control variable that characterizes the causing of a status change of the metering valve (310), a variable is detected that characterized the flow rate of the pump (120), from this variable that characterizes the flow rate the functionality of the metering valve (310) is assumed.

Abstract: A method for characterising the structure or sub-structure of a glycan or glycan derivative, experimentally derives the mass of an unidentified glycan molecule and compares the mass of the unidentified glycan molecule with identified and characterised glycan structures to select candidate structures for the glycan molecule. Next the mass of fragments of the glycan molecule is experimentally derived and theoretical fragmentation of the selected candidates is conducted. The mass of the fragments of the unidentified glycan molecule is matched with the mass of fragments theoretically derived from the candidate structures. Next scoring occurs to produce ranked confidence scores for each of the candidate structures by comparing the masses of the experimentally derived fragments with the masses of the theoretically derived fragments. Two scoring methods are disclosed namely segmentation and correspondence scoring.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the diagnosis of cancer by identifying novel glycans that are diagnostic of cancerous cells or tumors in an human or animal subject, and methods for identifying markers of disease states in humans and/or animals using mass spectrometry on partially purified glycan-containing samples.

Abstract: Embodiments of a filter assembly and method of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a filter media pack disposed in a frame assembly. A first seal biases the filter media pack against a second seal along at least one edge of the media pack. In another aspect, a method of fabricating a filter assembly includes the steps of placing a filter media pack in at least a first portion of a frame assembly and compressing an edge of the media pack between a first and second seal.

Abstract: Embodiments of a filter assembly and method of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a filter media pack disposed in a frame assembly. A first seal biases the filter media pack against a second seal along at least one edge of the media pack. In another aspect, a method of fabricating a filter assembly includes the steps of placing a filter media pack in at least a first portion of a frame assembly and compressing an edge of the media pack between a first and second seal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recovering O-linked oligosaccharides from a macromolecule, the method comprising the steps: exposing the macromolecule to an alkaline agent to release O-linked olisaccharides from the macromolecule; separating the released oligosaccharide from the macromolecule; and recovering the oligosaccharide.

Abstract: Method for the fabrication of filters with deep folds connecting of opposed sides of the filter to prevent blow-out, by welding intermediate distance elements to the filter material on each side. The distance elements include bridges and/or connections between parts welded to the difference filter sides. The bridges are extendable to different lengths at different locations in the filter.