Abstract: A method of making a flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium is provided. The method comprises introducing a nutrient component comprising a powdered nutrient, and an agglomeration liquid, into an agglomerator comprising a flow-through-type agglomeration chamber, wet-massing the nutrient component with the agglomeration liquid in the agglomeration chamber for a predetermined period of time to form agglomerated nutrient medium particles, and exposing the agglomerated nutrient medium particles to drying conditions for a period of time to form the dried, agglomerated nutrient medium. The nutrient component facilitates the growth of a microorganism. Compositions, articles, and kits comprising the flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium are also provided.

Abstract: A culture system for culturing a microaerophilic or an anaerobic microorganism is provided. The culture system can include effective amounts of i) an enzyme of an oxidoreductase family and ii) a substrate for said enzyme, a container, and a predetermined volume of aqueous medium that supports growth of said anaerobic or microaerophilic microorganism. The enzyme can be selected from a group consisting of ascorbic acid oxidase and laccase. The effective amounts are effective to deplete dissolved oxygen in the predetermined volume to a concentration that facilitates growth of a microaerophilic microorganism or an obligately-anaerobic microorganism. A method of using the system is also provided.

Abstract: Compositions include a compound preparable by reaction of components comprising an optionally crosslinked polyethylenimine and at least one an amine-reactive hydrolyzable organosilane represented by the formula R—Z—SiY3. R represents an amine-reactive group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms; Z represents a divalent organic group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and each Y independently represents a hydrolyzable group. Methods of using the compositions to make articles, and articles produces thereby are also disclosed. A composition comprising an intimate mixture of a crosslinked polyethylenimine and a polymeric binder material, and a method of making it is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor device. The sensor device includes a sterilant-responsive switch comprising: a circuit; a conductive polymer having a first state and a second state, and a polymeric binder; and wherein the sterilant-responsive switch connects the circuit in the first state and disconnects the circuit in the second state, and wherein the conductive polymer is capable of being converted from being in the first state to being in the second state when in contact with a sterilant.

Abstract: A culture system for culturing a microaerophilic or an anaerobic microorganism is provided. The culture system can include effective amounts of i) an enzyme of an oxidoreductase family and ii) a substrate for said enzyme, a container, and a predetermined volume of aqueous medium that supports growth of said anaerobic or microaerophilic microorganism. The enzyme can be selected from a group consisting of ascorbic acid oxidase and laccase. The effective amounts are effective to deplete dissolved oxygen in the predetermined volume to a concentration that facilitates growth of a microaerophilic microorganism or an obligately-anaerobic microorganism. A method of using the system is also provided.

Abstract: A culture device comprising an oxygen sensitive luminophore, typically an oxygen sensitive phosphor, such as a porphyrin, and methods of use for culturing and enumerating microorganisms

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for estimating an accuracy and robustness of a model and devices thereof. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method comprises calculating a parameter representing a possibility that a sample in the first dataset appears in the second dataset; calculating an accuracy score of the model with respect to the sample in the first dataset; calculating a weighted accuracy score of the model with respect to the sample in the first dataset, based on the accuracy score, by taking the parameter as a weight; and calculating, as the estimation accuracy of the model with respect to the second dataset, an adjusted accuracy of the model with respect to the first dataset according to the weighted accuracy score.

Abstract: A training device and a training method for training a multi-goal model based on goals in a goal space are provided. The training device includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to set the goal space, to acquire a plurality of sub-goal spaces of different levels of difficulty; change a sub-goal space to be processed from a current sub-goal space to a next sub-goal space of a higher level of difficulty; select, as sampling goals, goals at least from the current sub-goal space, and to acquire transitions related to the sampling goals by executing actions; train the multi-goal model based on the transitions, and evaluate the multi-goal model by calculating a success rate for achieving goals in the current sub-goal space.

Abstract: Water-based formulations comprising an indicating composition dispersed in water are described. The water-based indicating compositions include an organic Bi(III) compound, a sulfur source, a carbonate salt, and strontium hydroxide. Formulations further including a resin and/or an acidic additive are also described.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a sensor device having an integrated circuit and a monitoring loop coupled to the integrated circuit. The monitoring loop includes a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace, each having a first end electrically coupled to the integrated circuit and a second end. The monitoring loop includes a sterilant-responsive switch electrically coupling the second ends of the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace. The sterilant-responsive switch has a first impedance state and a second impedance state. The sterilant-responsive switch modifies an electrical connection between the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace based on exposure to an adequate environmental condition in an adequate sterilization process. The sensor device also includes an antenna coupled to the integrated circuit forming an antenna loop that is distinct from the monitoring loop.

Abstract: The disclosed hydrogen peroxide indicator includes a substrate on which is disposed an indicator composition that includes at least one of a select group of indicator compounds and a catalyst. As a result of contact with hydrogen peroxide, the indicator composition changes color, even from colorless to having a visually observable color, thereby providing an indication of the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A system for assessing efficacy of a sterilization process is disclosed. The system includes a biological indicator, a receptacle configured to receive the biological indicator, an actuator mechanism, and a sensing system operatively coupled to the actuator mechanism. A method of using the system for assessing efficacy of a sterilization process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A peracetic acid decontamination chemical indicator including a substrate and an indicator composition disposed thereon, where the indicator composition comprises a colorant that changes color when exposed to a peracetic acid solution but does not change color when exposed to a hydrogen peroxide solution, an acidified hydrogen peroxide solution, or an acetic acid solution, and where the indicator composition does not include a transition metal salt or a halogen source, and methods of using the chemical indicator.

Abstract: A method of making a flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium is provided. The method comprises introducing a nutrient component comprising a powdered nutrient, and an agglomeration liquid, into an agglomerator comprising a flow-through-type agglomeration chamber, wet-massing the nutrient component with the agglomeration liquid in the agglomeration chamber for a predetermined period of time to form agglomerated nutrient medium particles, and exposing the agglomerated nutrient medium particles to drying conditions for a period of time to form the dried, agglomerated nutrient medium. The nutrient component facilitates the growth of a microorganism. Compositions, articles, and kits comprising the flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium are also provided.

Abstract: A robustness estimation method, a data processing method, and an information processing apparatus are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for estimating an accuracy and robustness of a model and devices thereof. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method comprises calculating a parameter representing a possibility that a sample in the first dataset appears in the second dataset; calculating an accuracy score of the model with respect to the sample in the first dataset; calculating a weighted accuracy score of the model with respect to the sample in the first dataset, based on the accuracy score, by taking the parameter as a weight; and calculating, as the estimation accuracy of the model with respect to the second dataset, an adjusted accuracy of the model with respect to the first dataset according to the weighted accuracy score.

Abstract: Compositions include a compound preparable by reaction of components comprising an optionally crosslinked polyethylenimine and at least one an amine-reactive hydrolyzable organosilane represented by the formula R—Z—SiY3. R represents an amine-reactive group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms; Z represents a divalent organic group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and each Y independently represents a hydrolyzable group. Methods of using the compositions to make articles, and articles produces thereby are also disclosed. A composition comprising an intimate mixture of a crosslinked polyethylenimine and a polymeric binder material, and a method of making it is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium is provided. The method comprises introducing a nutrient component comprising a powdered nutrient, and an agglomeration liquid, into an agglomerator comprising a flow-through-type agglomeration chamber, wet-massing the nutrient component with the agglomeration liquid in the agglomeration chamber for a predetermined period of time to form agglomerated nutrient medium particles, and exposing the agglomerated nutrient medium particles to drying conditions for a period of time to form the dried, agglomerated nutrient medium. The nutrient component facilitates the growth of a microorganism. Compositions, articles, and kits comprising the flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions include a compound preparable by reaction of components comprising an optionally crosslinked polyethylenimine and at least one an amine-reactive hydrolyzable organosilane represented by the formula R—Z—SiY3. R represents an amine-reactive group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms; Z represents a divalent organic group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and each Y independently represents a hydrolyzable group. Methods of using the compositions to make articles, and articles produces thereby are also disclosed. A composition comprising an intimate mixture of a crosslinked polyethylenimine and a polymeric binder material, and a method of making it is also disclosed.

Abstract: A training device and a training method for training a multi-goal model based on goals in a goal space are provided. The training device includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to set the goal space, to acquire a plurality of sub-goal spaces of different levels of difficulty; change a sub-goal space to be processed from a current sub-goal space to a next sub-goal space of a higher level of difficulty; select, as sampling goals, goals at least from the current sub-goal space, and to acquire transitions related to the sampling goals by executing actions; train the multi-goal model based on the transitions, and evaluate the multi-goal model by calculating a success rate for achieving goals in the current sub-goal space.