Abstract: Methods for characterizing a population of microbes in a sample are described. The methods include: amplifying microbial polynucleotides obtained from the sample to form a plurality of amplicons and combining the amplicons with a plurality of microbeads, wherein each of the microbeads has a lanthanide spectral signature paired with the sequence of capture polynucleotides immobilized on the microbead. At least some of the capture polynucleotides comprise a sequence substantially complementary to a microbe-identifying sequence in one or more amplicons, such that at least some amplicons are captured onto beads by the capture polynucleotides and the microbe can be identified based on the lanthanide spectral signature of with which the capture polynucleotide is paired. Further described are methods for the identification of pathogens present in a sample by evaluating patterns of hybridization of a capture oligonucleotide to amplicons.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate and a heterostructure supported by the substrate. The heterostructure includes a III-nitride layer and a ferroelectric layer supported by the III-nitride layer. The ferroelectric layer includes a quaternary III-nitride alloy. The quaternary III-nitride alloy includes a Group IIIB element. The ferroelectric layer has a lattice constant greater than a lattice constant of gallium nitride (GaN).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of determining DNA concentration in a DNA virus. The invention features three basic steps. The initial step is the specific capture of a defined amount of virus capsid particles on a first solid phase. The second step is lysis of the capsid to release the virus DNA from the first solid phase into a lysis solution. After separating the lysis solution from the first solid phase, the third step is contacting the lysis solution with a second solid phase. The second solid phase captures total DNA derived from the captured capsid. The present invention is also directed to a method for measuring the percentage of full virus capsid, comprising first determining the ssDNA concentration in viruses, and then converting the ssDNA concentration to percentage of full virus capsid using a calibration curve having DNA concentration plotted against standards of % of full capsids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to biochemical assay methods, which uses a biotin-immobilized solid support surface for quantitating an analyte or measuring kinetic binding in different samples, from about 3 to 20 times, while maintaining acceptable assay performance. The methods use a streptavidin capture solution comprising streptavidin or preferably streptavidin polymers. The biotin-immobilized solid support surface is regenerated after each cycle of reactions by contacting the surface in an acidic solution having pH about 1-4, followed by DMSO. The regeneration step removes the bound immunocomplex and leaves the biotin on the surface.

Abstract: A multi-sensor mounting system and method includes a secondary pipe and an adapter. The secondary pipe comprises a fastening device configured to fix the secondary pipe to the process pipe, and a valve that is switchable between an open state and a closed state. The adapter detachably connects a sensor module to the secondary pipe. The valve allows a sensing probe of the sensor module being inserted into the process pipe in the open state, and to block a fluid flow in the secondary pipe in the closed state, for example, for times when the sensing probe is removed from the secondary pipe.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing a population of microbes in a sample are described. The methods include: amplifying microbial polynucleotides obtained from the sample to form a plurality of amplicons and combining the amplicons with a plurality of microbeads, wherein each of the microbeads has a lanthanide spectral signature paired with the sequence of capture polynucleotides immobilized on the microbead. At least some of the capture polynucleotides comprise a sequence substantially complementary to a microbe-identifying sequence in one or more amplicons, such that at least some amplicons are captured onto beads by the capture polynucleotides and the microbe can be identified based on the lanthanide spectral signature of with which the capture polynucleotide is paired. Further described are methods for the identification of pathogens present in a sample by evaluating patterns of hybridization of a capture oligonucleotide to amplicons.

Abstract: A method for measuring the activity of one or more excitable cells, such as neurons, in a target tissue is provided. The present method may include measuring the activity of individual, selected excitable cells by projecting one or more three dimensional (3D) multi-focal laser light patterns into a target tissue containing excitable cells adapted to emit cellular electrical activity—sensitive fluorescence, to generate a multiplexed 2D diffraction pattern of fluorescence emitted by the neurons, and resolving the multiplexed 2D diffraction pattern. Also provided herein is a system configured to perform the present method, the system including a microscope configured to project one or more 3D multi-focal laser light patterns into a target tissue using a spatial light modulator and a mirror galvanometer, and a microlens array and an image detector to record individual and multiplexed 2D diffraction patterns of light emitted from the target tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically correcting apparent distortions in close range photographs that are captured using an imaging system capable of capturing images and depth maps are disclosed. In many embodiments, faces are automatically detected and segmented from images using a depth-assisted alpha matting. The detected faces can then be re-rendered from a more distant viewpoint and composited with the background to create a new image in which apparent perspective distortion is reduced.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward optics and imaging. As may be implemented with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes one or more phase masks that operate with an objective lens and a microlens array to alter a phase characteristic of light travelling in a path from a specimen, through the objective lens and microlens array and to a photosensor array. Using this approach, the specimen can be imaged with spatial resolution characteristics provided via the altered phase characteristic, which can facilitate construction of an image with enhanced resolution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically correcting apparent distortions in close range photographs that are captured using an imaging system capable of capturing images and depth maps are disclosed. In many embodiments, faces are automatically detected and segmented from images using a depth-assisted alpha matting. The detected faces can then be re-rendered from a more distant viewpoint and composited with the background to create a new image in which apparent perspective distortion is reduced.

Abstract: A method for measuring the activity of one or more excitable cells, such as neurons, in a target tissue is provided. The present method may include measuring the activity of individual, selected excitable cells by projecting one or more three dimensional (3D) multi-focal laser light patterns into a target tissue containing excitable cells adapted to emit cellular electrical activity—sensitive fluorescence, to generate a multiplexed 2D diffraction pattern of fluorescence emitted by the neurons, and resolving the multiplexed 2D diffraction pattern. Also provided herein is a system configured to perform the present method, the system including a microscope configured to project one or more 3D multi-focal laser light patterns into a target tissue using a spatial light modulator and a mirror galvanometer, and a microlens array and an image detector to record individual and multiplexed 2D diffraction patterns of light emitted from the target tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically correcting apparent distortions in close range photographs that are captured using an imaging system capable of capturing images and depth maps are disclosed. In many embodiments, faces are automatically detected and segmented from images using a depth-assisted alpha matting. The detected faces can then be re-rendered from a more distant viewpoint and composited with the background to create a new image in which apparent perspective distortion is reduced.

Abstract: A super resolution optofluidic microscope device comprises a body defining a fluid channel having a longitudinal axis and includes a surface layer proximal the fluid channel. The surface layer has a two-dimensional light detector array configured to receive light passing through the fluid channel and sample a sequence of subpixel shifted projection frames as an object moves through the fluid channel. The super resolution optofluidic microscope device further comprises a processor in electronic communication with the two-dimensional light detector array. The processor is configured to generate a high resolution image of the object using a super resolution algorithm, and based on the sequence of subpixel shifted projection frames and a motion vector of the object.

Abstract: Images are detected in a manner that addresses various challenges as discussed herein. As may be consistent with one or more embodiments, aspects are directed to an apparatus having sets of photosensors that detect light rays received at different angles from a specimen via a microlens array, with the light rays detected by each set of photosensors representing an aliased view of the specimen. An output indicative of aliased views of the specimen is provided. Certain embodiments further include a logic circuit that processes the output and generates a deconvolved volume image by combining aliased views of the specimen as detected by the photosensors.

Abstract: An e-Petri dish comprising a transparent layer having a specimen surface and a light detector configured to sample a sequence of sub-pixel shifted projection images of a specimen located on the specimen surface. The sub-pixel shifted projection images associated with light from a plurality of illumination angles provided by an illumination source.

Abstract: Methods of rapid distinction between growing cells and debris, which determine a time-lapse movie of specimen images, track features of each entity, and categorize each entity as growing cells or debris.

Abstract: A scanning projective lensless microscope device comprises a specimen surface, a scanning illumination source with a light element, a light detector outside the specimen surface, and a processor. The scanning illumination source scans the light element to a plurality of scanning locations to provide illumination to an object on the specimen surface. The light detector samples a sequence of sub-pixel shifted projection object images corresponding to the plurality of scanning locations. The processor constructs a high resolution image of the object based on the sequence of sub-pixel shifted projection images and a motion vector of the projections at a plane of interest.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward optics and imaging. As may be implemented with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes one or more phase masks that operate with an objective lens and a microlens array to alter a phase characteristic of light travelling in a path from a specimen, through the objective lens and microlens array and to a photosensor array. Using this approach, the specimen can be imaged with spatial resolution characteristics provided via the altered phase characteristic, which can facilitate construction of an image with enhanced resolution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically correcting apparent distortions in close range photographs that are captured using an imaging system capable of capturing images and depth maps are disclosed. In many embodiments, faces are automatically detected and segmented from images using a depth-assisted alpha matting. The detected faces can then be re-rendered from a more distant viewpoint and composited with the background to create a new image in which apparent perspective distortion is reduced.

Abstract: This invention relates, e.g., to methods for detecting a eubacterium, determining if the eubacterium is Gram-positive or Gram-negative, and determining the species of the eubacterium in a sample.