Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for testing multiple analyte concentrations within a biosensor system through a single injection of sample. The method involves flowing a fluid sample containing a neat analyte concentration along a flow path in a fluid system and diluting the sample by causing it to merge with a fluid that is free of analyte in a second flow path under laminar flow conditions. The merged fluid stream is directed through a turbulent third flow path of a very low dead volume. The third flow path carries the merged fluid stream to a sensing region where the analyte is exposed to an immobilized ligand. The concentration of analyte can be controlled in this method by adjusting the flow rates of the sample flow and analyte-free fluid flow. A fluidic system for carrying out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for extracting protein from a fat-containing sample is described comprising the steps of separating solidified fat and solid residues from a centrifuged mixture of protein, fat, other solid materials and aqueous solution of phosphate buffered saline to form an aqueous phase containing the protein. The aqueous phase is then filtered through a filter to separate a clear protein extract from the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention involves extracting from Legionella bacteria, particularly L. pneumophila bacteria, an essentially protein-free O-polysaccharide or carbohydrate antigen, coupling this antigen to an activated chromatographic column through a protein space molecule which is first conjugated to the antigen, utilizing the column thus prepared for the affinity purification of raw polyvalent antibodies to the same Legionella bacterium from which the O-polysaccharide or carbohydrate antigen was separated—thereby obtaining antigen-specific antibodies which are useful for the rapid detection of the corresponding Legionella bacterium or its antibody in human bodily fluids such as urine, sputum, blood and the like or in environmental samples suspected of harboring theLegionella bacterium.

Abstract: Object of the invention is a process for depleting host cells from a xenograft of human cells on a murine host characterized in a) fragmenting the xenograft into a sample comprising a single cell suspension b) subjecting the sample to antibodies specific for a murine CD9 epitope coupled to a detection means c) depleting the cell suspension from cells bound by the CD9-antibodies using the detection means d) collecting the cells not bound by the CD9-antibodies as target cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides the in-vitro use of at least one in-vivo-target antigen of Aspergillus fumigatus for selective activation, detection and/or analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus specific CD4+ T cells in a sample comprising cells, wherein said at least one in-vivo-target antigen reveals an immune reactivity characterized by i) the in vivo existence of antigen-specific T cells comprising more than 60% memory T cells and ii) said antigen-specific T cells further comprise T cells able to produce IFN-gamma upon stimulation at a frequency between 15% and 80% and/or IL17 upon stimulation at a frequency between 5% and 30%. Said at least one in-vivo-target antigen may be selected from the group consisting of antigens Scw4, Pst1, Shm2, GliT and TpiA or fragments thereof. Also provided are a method, a composition, and a kit thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to identify substances which affect bacterial cell division by interfering with the function of LOP1, comprising bringing into contact a purified protein selected from the group: FtsZ, FtsQ, FtsL, FtsI and FtsN; with purified LOP1 protein and then assaying the formation of complexes between LOP1 and the selected purified protein in the presence and absence of a substance to be tested and then selecting substances from step b) which affect the formation of complexes when present. The present invention also relates to inhibitors of the activity and expression of LOP 1.

Abstract: The studies described herein demonstrate that ?? fibrinogen and total fibrinogen are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Further described herein is the unexpected finding that an elevated concentration of ?? fibrinogen in combination with an elevated concentration of total fibrinogen is a significantly better predictor of cardiovascular disease risk than either marker alone. Thus, provided herein are methods of detecting a subject having cardiovascular disease, or at increased risk of developing a cardiovascular disease, by measuring both the concentration of ?? fibrinogen and the concentration of total fibrinogen in a sample obtained from the subject.

Abstract: A method for detecting a colorectal cancer, including the steps of measuring an amount of exosomes expressing CD147 in a body fluid sample derived from a test individual with an anti-CD147 monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof; and comparing a signal intensity of exosomes in the step with a signal intensity in a control individual, wherein a case where the signal intensity in the test individual is found to be stronger than the signal intensity in the control individual serves as an index of the presence of the colorectal cancer. According to the method of the present invention, whether or not a sample provider has a high possibility of developing a colorectal cancer can be judged. Therefore, the method is useful because the sample provider can take a means of inhibiting the progression of cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma in a patient, comprising detecting, in a blood sample obtained from said patient, an indicator protein selected from the group comprised of integrin subunit alpha (v) and integrin subunit beta (6) or their heterodimer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of a benign oncocytoma and a method to differentiate a benign oncocytoma from malignant renal cell carcinoma, a kit for use in these methods, as well as antibody relating thereto, a hybridoma cell capable of producing the same as well as the uses relating thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides a binding moiety which selectively binds to Sox11 protein and/or mRNA for imaging, diagnosis or prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Optionally, the moiety is an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof. Advantageously, moiety comprises a further, readily detectable moiety. The invention also provides methods of imaging EOC cells as well as methods of diagnosing or prognosing EOC in an individual. A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of identifying cells associated with EOC, the method comprising analysing the pattern of gene expression in a sample of cells to be tested and comparing it to the pattern of gene expression in a sample of known lymphomas cells.

Abstract: Among other things, the present invention provides assay methods for detecting or quantifying one or more analytes in a sample, which involve the use of dissociable nanoparticles that comprise one or more signaling agents (e.g., the nanoparticles conceal or partially conceal the signaling agents).

Abstract: The application discloses methods for treating a subject presenting with one or more signs of an inflammatory condition, or methods for evaluating the risk of death within a year for a subject presenting with one or more signs of an inflammatory condition, based on measuring the quantity of LTBP2 in a sample from the subject; and kits and devices for measuring LTBP2 and/or performing said methods.

Abstract: A kit for determining for a female subject the implantation potential of embryos obtained or to be obtained by assisted fertilization is described. The kit includes at least one reagent suitable for detection of levels of FF G-CSF or FF G-CSF mRNA, such as anti-G-CSF antibody or a nucleic acid probe for detection of levels of G-CSF mRNA. The kit may also include a set of concentration standards of FF G-CSF and aspirator tips for removing an oocyte and follicular fluid.

Abstract: Diagnostic methods for evaluating vaginal infections comprising the use of specific proteins are described. Also described here is the use of specific proteins in a diagnostic method for evaluating recovery from the infections following antibiotic treatment of vaginal infections and predicting the recovery and remission of the infection. Diagnostic methods involving the use of specific proteins for evaluating recovery from the vaginal infections following rifaximin treatment and predicting the recovery and remission of the infection are also described.

Abstract: Methods are provided for identifying biomarker proteins that exhibit differential expression in subjects with a first lung condition versus healthy subjects or subjects with a second lung condition. Also provided are compositions comprising these biomarker proteins and methods of using these biomarker proteins or panels thereof to diagnose, classify, and monitor various lung conditions. The methods and compositions provided herein may be used to diagnose or classify a subject as having lung cancer or a non-cancerous condition, and to distinguish between different types of cancer (e.g., malignant versus benign, SCLC versus NSCLC).

Abstract: The present Inventors demonstrated that the RelB subunit of NF?B plays a crucial role in promoting cell migration. More precisely, they identified that this pro-migratory activity is mediated by the activation of the NF?B pathway through RelB phosphorylation at serine 472. In a first aspect, the present invention proposes to monitor the activation of the NF?B pathway by following the phosphorylation status of said serine. Also, the present invention discloses methods and kits for prognosing the evolution of a disease involving cell migration in a subject—treated or not—suffering thereof, based on the detection of said RelB-S472 phosphorylation.

Abstract: The application discloses MCAM as a new biomarker for acute heart failure; methods for predicting, diagnosing, prognosticating and/or monitoring acute heart failure based on measuring said biomarker; and kits and devices for measuring said biomarker and/or performing said methods.

Abstract: Candidate compounds for use in neuro-protection and repair in neurological disorders involving Tau dysfunction (including Alzheimer's disease) are identified from a direct interaction between proteins FKBP52 and Tau. The method for screening a drug for the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders involving Tau dysfunction includes determining the ability of a candidate compound, to modulate binding between a Tau polypeptide and a FKBP52 polypeptide, and selecting positively the candidate compound that modulates binding.

Abstract: A personal test device includes a preparation vessel, a sampler and an analytical unit, wherein the preparation vessel has a first chamber with first and second openings, wherein each of the first and second openings is sealed thereby to seal the first chamber, and the first chamber holds one or more reagents; the sampler is for holding a sample, and the sampler is adapted to pierce the seals at the first and second openings; and the analytical unit is adapted to analyse material from the first chamber. Also provided is a sample preparation vessel, a sampler and an analytical unit and methods for using the personal test device, including the preparation vessel, sampler and analytical unit, to detect blood in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for releasing bound vitamin D by bringing a sample containing vitamin D into contact with a release reagent which contains at least one hydrotropic substance and at least one transition metal salt. The released vitamin D can subsequently be determined quantitatively. The present invention relates further to a reagent for releasing and optionally determining vitamin D, containing at least one hydrotropic substance and at least one transition metal salt, as well as to the use of such a release reagent for releasing and optionally determining vitamin D.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a sensor for detecting a target comprising a probe that is able to recognize the presence of the target; a pH-changing enzyme conjugated to an oligonucleotide that senses the recognition of the presence of the target by the probe; and a solid support linked or linkable to the probe; wherein the presence of the target causes the sensor to be either captured to the solid support or released into solution for detection of pH changes. Also provided are methods for using the sensor and kits.

Abstract: Apparatus for analyzing the process of formation of aggregates in a biological fluid, such as blood or hematic fluids, comprising a perfusion chamber provided with at least one micro-channel through which the biological fluid flows, and in which at least one reactive substrate is present, such as a cyto-adhesive substrate, to stimulate the aggregation process in the biological fluid, and impedenziometric detection means associated with the micro-channel, in correspondence to at least one investigation area and disposed, during use, in contact with the flow of biological fluid in transit, in order to detect impedance data of the biological fluid. The impedenziometric detection means comprise at least two first electrodes with an oblong development disposed in the micro-channel, and a plurality of second electrodes with an oblong development disposed in the space comprised between the first electrodes and according to a pattern defining substantially the perimeter of a geometric figure.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the coagulation or sedimentation dynamics of a fluid such as whole blood, a blood fraction, or blood plasma, the method including: illuminating a sample of the fluid with a beam of coherent light; acquiring a time series of images of a speckle pattern generated by interaction between the sample and the spatially coherent light beam; and processing the time series of images; wherein the processing step includes calculating a function representative of the variation in the speckle pattern between two or more images of the series. The invention also provides a device for implementing such a method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a clearance normalized amount of a metabolite disease biomarker in a sample including the steps of (a) determining the amount of the disease biomarker in at least a first type of sample of a subject suspected to suffer from the disease, (b) determining the amount of a kidney function biomarker which correlates with the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the said at least first type of sample, and (c) determining a clearance normalized amount for the metabolite disease biomarker by normalizing the amount determined for the metabolite disease biomarker in step (a) to the amount of the kidney function biomarker determined in step (b). Moreover, the invention also relates to a method for diagnosing a disease in a subject suspected to suffer therefrom and to a device for determining a clearance normalized amount of a metabolite disease biomarker in a sample.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and compounds for isolating and detecting lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) are disclosed. Kits for performing the methods also are disclosed. LPAs are isolated from biological samples by liquid-liquid extraction followed by solid phase extraction. LPA species may be separated by HPLC, and the separated species may be identified and quantified. Also disclosed are embodiments of compounds capable of universally detecting a plurality of LPA species with substantially equivalent sensitivity. Embodiments of the disclosed compounds are useful for determination of total LPA concentration in a sample comprising a plurality of LPA species without separation of individual LPA species.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to mass spectral analysis. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve analyzing a lipid containing sample using a mass spectrometry technique, in which the technique utilizes a liquid phase that does not destroy native tissue morphology during analysis.

Abstract: A system for the integrated and automated analysis of DNA or protein, including a single-use cartridge, with an analysis device having a control device, and devices for capturing and processing signals, the control device carrying out a completely automatic process and evaluation of molecular diagnostic analysis via single-use cartridges (Lab-on-a-Chip). Controlling of an analysis process, which occurs in the cartridge, involves the subsequent displacement and thermostatisation of liquids with a first device, and with a second device the signals which are obtained during the analysis are processed. The first and the second devices are synchronized in such a manner that the analysis process of the sample can be carried out in a totally integrated manner thus producing an immediate result.

Abstract: A sample rack conveying unit 30 includes a sliding rail plate 53, a presser 66, a first guide plate 55, and a second guide plate 56. The sliding rail plate 53 has a groove portion 71 formed along a track on which a sample rack 90 slides and along which the sample rack 90 is conveyed. The presser 66 passes through the groove portion 71 and presses the sample rack 90. The first guide plate 55 is arranged on an outer side of a curved portion in a radial direction. The second guide plate 56 is arranged on an inner side of the curved portion in the radial direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for point-of-care and/or distributed testing services. The methods and devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device can be modified to allow for more flexible and robust use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical, laboratory, and other applications. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can allow for effective use of samples by improved sample preparation and analysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting a surface using a pipette and/or for positioning a pipette.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program for determining the orientation of an apparatus relative to a vehicle in which the apparatus is installed is disclosed. Acceleration data of the apparatus along three mutually orthogonal axes at a first time interval is recorded (100). Speed and heading data of the apparatus at a second time interval is recorded (100). A first vector which corresponds to the direction of gravity is determined (102) using the acceleration data. One or more periods of acceleration in a substantially straight line are identified (104) using the speed and heading data. Acceleration data corresponding to the identified one or more periods of acceleration in a substantially straight line is selected (106). A second vector which is orthogonal to the first vector and which corresponds to a forward direction of the vehicle is determined (110) using the selected acceleration data.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes: a base substrate; a movable portion; a plurality of movable electrode fingers which are provided in the movable portion; a fixed electrode finger which is provided on the base substrate; and a fixing portion which fixes the movable portion to the base substrate. In the movable electrode fingers, a movable electrode finger which opposes the fixing portion in the first direction is included. A clearance between the movable electrode finger and the fixing portion is smaller than a clearance between the movable electrode finger and the fixed electrode finger. The width of the movable electrode finger is greater than the width of other movable electrode finger.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor has a first structure which has a movable section that includes movable electrode fingers, a second structure which includes first fixed electrode fingers that are arranged to oppose the movable electrode fingers, a third structure which includes second fixed electrode fingers that are arranged to oppose the movable electrode fingers, and a first electrostatic capacity forming section that forms an electrostatic capacity between the first structure and the second structure.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes: an oscillating body having a support section and a movable section which is connected to the support section through connection portions, in which the movable section has a first movable portion and a second movable portion; a first fixed electrode which is disposed to face the first movable portion; a second fixed electrode which is disposed to face the second movable portion; and a dummy electrode which is disposed to face the second movable portion so as not to overlap the second fixed electrode and has the same potential as potential of the oscillating body, in which the first fixed electrode is disposed such that a portion thereof overlaps the support section when viewed in a plan view.

Abstract: To accurately measure the offset of an angular velocity sensor mounted in a mobile device in a short time, provided is an offset estimation apparatus including an acquiring section that acquires an output signal from an angular velocity sensor mounted in a mobile device; a hold state judging section that judges a hold state of the mobile device; and an offset estimating section that estimates an offset of the output signal of the angular velocity sensor according to a judgment result of the hold state judging section. Also provided is a method and program. The offset estimation apparatus may include a parameter control section that controls an estimation parameter of the offset estimating section according to the judgment result of the hold state judging section.

Abstract: A signal detection circuit includes: a VCO that generates a reference signal; a complex signal generation circuit that generates a complex signal from an input signal and the reference signal; a vector operation circuit that calculates an argument of the complex signal by performing a vector operation; and a subtracting phase comparator that compares the argument with a phase of the reference signal by calculating a difference between the argument and the phase of the reference signal, wherein the complex signal generation circuit includes: a multiplication circuit that multiplies the input signal by the reference signal; and an HPF that removes a DC component from a signal output from the multiplication circuit.

Abstract: A signal acquisition probe stores compressed or compressed and filtered time domain data samples representing at least one of an impulse response or step response characterizing the signal acquisition probe. The compressed or compressed and filtered time domain data samples of the impulse response or the step response are provided to a signal measurement instrument for compensating the signal measurement instrument for the impulse or step response of the signal measurement instrument.

Abstract: A probe card for contacting an LED chip of flip-chip type includes a circuit board, two probes and a fixing seat. The circuit board has a mounting surface and a lateral edge. Each probe has a connecting portion mounted on the circuit board, an extending portion extending from the connecting portion, a cantilever portion connected with the extending portion and protruding out of the lateral edge, and a contacting portion extending from the cantilever portion. The fixing seat is mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board and has a fixing surface. A part of the extending portion is located between the circuit board and the fixing seat. A test equipment for testing optical characteristics of an LED chip of flip-chip type is provided with the probe card.

Abstract: The present invention provides a probe card structure, an assembling method thereof and a replacing method thereof. The probe card structure comprises a circuit board and a probe head assembly. The circuit board includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The circuit board also has at least one first connecting part and a containing hole penetrating the first side and the second side of the circuit board. The probe assembly, which is partially disposed in the containing hole, further comprises a fixing part and a probe head. The fixing part includes at least one second connecting part corresponding to the at least one first connecting part. The fixing part is detachably connected with the circuit board through the connection of the second connecting part and the first connecting part. The probe head is integrally formed with or detachably connected with the fixing part.

Abstract: In order to measure a choke current through a choke, a flux density of a magnetic field which is emitted by the choke is consecutively measured at a sampling rate at a location which is fixed in relation to the choke. A magnetic bias of the choke is ascertained from the measurement values of the flux density at a known choke current which occurs during operation of the choke, wherein the choke current is known only in longer time intervals than the inverse value of the sampling rate during measurement of the flux density. The actual choke current is determined from the actual measurement values of the flux density taking into account the ascertained magnetic bias.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a body of apparatus includes an opening, such as a V-shaped jaw, that deterministically locates a position of a wire in at least one dimension when the wire is placed in the opening. The apparatus also includes a plurality of sensors. At least one differential signal can be generated from signals from magnetic sensors, such as anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) sensors, of the plurality of sensors to cancel out common mode interference. An additional sensor of the plurality of sensors provides an output from which the location of the wire in another dimension is determined. The current flowing through the wire can be derived from at least the at least one differential signal and the location of the wire the other dimension.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing voltage on a chip are described herein. In one embodiment, a voltage sensor comprises a voltage-controlled oscillator coupled to a voltage being sensed, and a plurality of transition detectors, wherein each of the transition detectors is coupled to a different location on the oscillator, and wherein each of the transition detectors is configured to count a number of transitions at the respective location over a time period. The voltage sensor also comprises an adder configured to add the numbers of transitions from the transition detectors to generate an output value that is approximately proportional to the voltage.

Abstract: A method for obtaining plug combination of detecting apparatus, a method for obtaining power line topology and an electronic apparatus using the same are provided. The method for obtaining plug combination of detecting apparatus includes the following steps: retrieving a first amount of at least one detecting apparatus and a second amount of at least one socket; generating plug combinations between the at least one detecting apparatus and the at least one socket; calculating a total socket relationship value according to the second amount; setting specific plug times and a specific socket relationship value of a specific plug combination according to the first amount; and finding a candidate plug combination among reference plug combinations according to the specific socket relationship value, the total socket relationship value and a distance between the specific plug combination and each of the reference plug combinations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power meter with a two-path or multipath detector comprising at least two detector elements. Each detector element generates an output voltage. In order to detect an electrical power of an alternating electrical input signal, the sum and the difference of the output voltages of the detector elements are formed separately from one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to an unmanned aerial device for performing a resistance, current and/or voltage measurement at an object, in particular a lightning protection measurement at a wind turbine, comprising a contact element with an electrically conductive contact area, which can be brought into contact with a surface of the object, in particular with a lightning protection receptor of a rotor blade, of a nacelle or of a tower of a wind turbine, and comprising an electrically conductive measurement cable, which, with a first end, is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the contact area, and, with a second end, can be connected to a resistance, current and/or voltage measuring device and/or a grounding contact of the object.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to a method for the computer-aided ascertainment of the impedance of an electrical energy network, wherein the electrical voltage, the active power, and the reactive power are measured at a connection point, by which an electrical energy production installation is connected to the energy network, at respective successive instants. In this case, the impedance value is estimated at respective present instants by a computation code that is independent of the phase of the measured voltage. The estimation is carried out only for relatively large variations in the measured voltage or reactive power. The estimate is also taken into account only if its estimate error is small. The embodiments are based on the insight that accurate estimation of the impedance is possible at particular operating points of the energy network even without knowledge of voltage phase.

Abstract: An interface circuit for a bridge sensor has a switch that connects to a resistive bridge circuit. The resistive bridge circuit includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and a pair of resistive branches that connect between the first and second input terminals. Both of the resistive branches include an output terminal. The switch is connected to the first input terminal and is in series with both resistive branches for connecting and disconnecting a voltage source from the resistive branch output terminals.

Abstract: A test system includes row decoder, column decoder, row test controller, and test circuit. The row decoder activates one of first through M-th row signals based on plurality of row input signals. The column decoder activates one of first through N-th column signals based on plurality of column input signals. The row test controller outputs first through N-th column output signals, which are activated, when row test enable signal is activated. The row test controller outputs the first through N-th column signals as the first through N-th column output signals respectively when the row test enable signal is deactivated. The test circuit includes first through M-th row test blocks, each of which includes first through N-th test units. The test circuit simultaneously performs short test of the first through N-th test units included in row test block when the row test enable signal is activated.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of test entry selection units configured to selectively activate a plurality of test entry signals in response to a test entry code, and a plurality of test operation blocks, corresponding to the respective test entry signals, each configured to be reset in response to activation of the corresponding test entry signal to perform a set test operation corresponding to a test selection code.