Abstract: A calibration device is described for calibrating a scatterometer, which is designed in particular for measuring a particle concentration in exhaust gases of motor vehicles. The calibration device has at least one scattering body which emits scattered light having a defined intensity and distribution when irradiated with a light beam, the scattering body having an emission surface for the scattered light, to which is assigned at least one light sensor for detecting the scattered light exiting the emission surface. A screening body having at least one screen opening through which the scattered light exits in the direction of the at least one light sensor is assigned to the emission surface of the scattering body.

Abstract: A petroleum-based fluid sample may be centrifuged in a centrifuge vial where a light may be passed through the petroleum-based fluid sample to identify an amount of transmitted light at two or more time intervals. The stability of the foulant(s) and/or efficacy of the foulant inhibitors to prevent the destabilization of the foulants may be determined by comparing a change in the amounts of transmitted light through the petroleum-based fluid sample. The petroleum-based fluid sample may include a petroleum-based fluid, at least one foulant, and an optional additive for destabilizing the foulant(s). The additive may be or include a first component, such as but not limited to n-alkanes, iso-alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, cyclo-alkanes, natural gas, natural gas condensate, alcohols, ethers, ketones, organic acids, acetates, carbon dioxide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Imaging a sample that includes phototransformable optical labels (“PTOLs”) with an optical system having a diffraction-limited resolution volume (DLRV), includes providing activation radiation to the PTOLs to activate a statistical subset of the PTOLs. A density of the PTOLs of the activated subset is less than an inverse of the DLRV. Excitation radiation is provided to the activated subset to excite activated PTOLs. Radiation emitted from the activated and excited PTOLs located at different focal planes of the optical system within the sample is detected with the optical system. The preceding steps are repeated one or more times, each time activating a different statistical subset of the plurality of PTOLs. Three-dimensional locations within the sample are determined, with a sub-diffraction-limited accuracy, of the activated and excited PTOLs based on the radiation emitted from the activated and excited PTOLs that is detected from the different focal planes of the optical system.

Abstract: Pyrene can be used as a fluorescent probe for various industrial purposes. For example, it can be included in photocurable or thermally curable compositions and monitoring the fluorescence emission spectra before and after some curing will provide an indication of how much curing has occurred. Such monitoring can be carried out multiple times during a manufacturing process. Monitoring can also be done at different locations of a composition such as at inner and outer surfaces of a photocured or thermally cured layer.

Abstract: Interferometric focusing (IF), rather than conventional geometric focusing, of excitation light onto a guide-star that is embedded deeply in tissue, increases its fluorescence intensity. The method can extend the depth of wavefront measurement and improve correction inside of tissues because of its ability to suppress both scattering of diffuse light and aberration of ballistic light. The results showed more than two times improvement in SNR and RMS error of the wavefront measurement. Although only ballistic light in the excitation path is corrected, the intensity after wavefront correction increased by 1.5 times. When applying IF to a two-photon microscope with a near infra-red laser, this method would further extend the measurement depth and achieve high SNR for the wavefront sensor.

Abstract: A surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate device, including a base substrate, a single or multiple layered nanostructure that contains metals, and a plasma coating. The nanostructure metal is selected from the group including silver, gold, platinum, copper, titanium, chromium, and combinations thereof. The plasma coating has a thickness of 1-200 nm and may locate on the nanostructure layer or on the base substrate. The plasma coating can precisely control the surface characteristics, including surface energy, hydrophilicity, and contact angle, of the SERS device and may then help to regulate the SERS substrate with well defined and uniform water/oil contact angle with small standard deviation. The water contact angle of the SERS substrate may range from 20 to 140 degrees.

Abstract: A device for sustaining a plasma in a torch is provided. In certain examples, the device comprises a first electrode configured to couple to a power source and constructed and arranged to provide a loop current along a radial plane of the torch. In some examples, the radial plane of the torch is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the torch.

Abstract: Gold nanoparticles which comprises organic buffer containing a piperazine ring, gold, and an organic acid having reducing properties and which shows a blue color by visually view when it is dispersed as a colloidal solution, can be produced easily by conducting a nucleus formation step by reacting organic acid containing a piperazine ring with a solution of a first gold salt to form nucleus gold nanoparticles and a growth step by simultaneously adding and reacting a solution of a second gold salt and an organic acid having reducing properties with a solution of the nucleus gold nanoparticle to grow the nucleus gold nanoparticles. The produced gold nanoparticles can be used as labeling particles in an immunological measurement method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for a simple and accurate measurement of triglycerides in low-density lipoprotein in a sample comprising performing the following steps sequentially: (i) a step of generating free glycerol by allowing lipoprotein lipase to act on a sample, in an aqueous medium comprising the sample and a specific surfactant such as polyoxyethylene polyoxyalkylene polycyclic phenyl ether; (ii) a step of removing free glycerol present in the reaction solution of the above step (i); (iii) a step of generating free glycerol by allowing lipoprotein lipase to act on the reaction solution from which free glycerol has been removed in step (ii), in the presence of a specific surfactant such as polyoxyethylene polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether; and (iv) a step of measuring free glycerol generated in step (iii), and a kit used for the method.

Abstract: A system for the indirect detection of agglutination in an agglutination assay using optical density measurement and a reaction vessel. Light emitted by light source is transmitted through reaction vessel containing components of an agglutination reaction that is detected by light detector. As particles in the reaction vessel settle in the absence of agglutination they are concentrated in a reaction vessel lower volume and increase the optical density of the light path through the reaction vessel. Light detector generates an output signal related to said optical density. Said output signal is read and interpreted by an instrument to detect a presence or absence of agglutination. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical inspection apparatus that suppresses an influence of quantum noise and obtains superior defect detection performance even when an amount of light is small and a method thereof. In order to resolve the above problem, the present invention provides an optical inspection apparatus that includes a light source which radiates light to a sample; a light interference device which causes target light transmitted, scattered, or reflected from the sample and reference light to interfere with each other, such that strength of light after the interference becomes lower than strength of the target light; a photon counter which measures a photon number of the light after the interference by the light interference device; and a defect identifier which identifies the presence or absence of a defect, on the basis of a detected photon number obtained by the photon counter.

Abstract: An optical video measurement system for comparing a manufactured part against a representation of the manufactured part. The measurement platform system includes an optical video system for capturing images of the manufactured part. The optical video system includes a camera configured to capture one or more images of the manufactured part. The camera is configured to cooperate with one of several interchangeable lens assemblies for providing optics for the camera. The camera is configured to receive and retain one of the several interchangeable lens assemblies by way of a bayonet mount, wherein each of the interchangeable lens assemblies includes a male side configured to be received within a female side of the camera. The video measurement system further includes a mounting assembly configured to receive and retain a portion of each of the interchangeable lens assemblies and maintain alignment of each of the interchangeable lens assemblies with the camera.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an inspection device including a light source module, an image receiving module and a processing unit. The light source module emits a first incident light and a second incident light to a device under test (DUT). The image receiving module receives a first image corresponding to the DUT irradiated by the first incident light, and receives a second image corresponding to the DUT irradiated by the second incident light. The processing unit calculates the contrast ratio of the first image and the second image to obtain a high-contrast image for inspection.

Abstract: An inspection assembly for inspecting an at least partially transparent single-dose casing of the envelope type, in which there is arranged a substantially transparent container for containing a substantially transparent liquid. The assembly includes a substantially point-like light source and a diffusive screen. The container is provided between the light source and the diffusive screen, which is a side of the casing itself, in order to project onto the screen a profile of luminous intensity that is recorded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for radiographically inspecting a component by means of X-rays, where at least one component surface to be radiographed is provided with a surface structure, with at least the surface provided with the surface structure being smoothed by means of a smoothing material to level out the surface structure, with at least one organic compound and at least one metal powder being used as smoothing material, with the X-ray absorption behavior of the smoothing material essentially equaling the X-ray absorption behavior of the material of the component, as well as to a smoothing material for carrying out the method in accordance with Claim.

Abstract: An imaging system used for material discrimination of an objet is provided. The imaging system includes an X-ray source and an imaging sensor. The X-ray source generates multienergy polychromatic X-ray, wherein there is an integral-multiple relationship between the multi-energy-band of the X-ray. The object is placed between the X-ray source and the imaging sensor. The X-ray is transmitted toward and imaged by the imaging sensor through the object. An imaging multi-energy-band of the imaging sensor corresponds to the multi-energy-band of the X-ray.

Abstract: A sample handling apparatus/technique/method are provided for a material analyzer, including: a sample cell insert for carrying sample to and from a sample focal area of the analyzer; a removable sample carrying device for providing sample to the cell insert; and an actuator to flow sample from the carrying device to the sample cell insert. The removable sample carrying device may be a syringe, and the actuator pushes a plunger of the syringe to expel the sample to the sample cell insert. The sample cell insert may be mounted onto a sample cell, the sample cell being insertable into the analyzer for sample analysis. The sample handling apparatus may be used in combination with an optic-enabled x-ray analyzer, the x-ray analyzer including an x-ray engine with an x-ray excitation path and an x-ray detection path, wherein the x-ray excitation and/or the x-ray detection path define the sample focal area.

Abstract: A measurement head is provided for a device for measuring the concentration of at least one gas, in particular oxygen. A gas sample a measurement element (1) is arranged in the region of an opening on a circuit board (11). To convey gas a duct (16, 17) is formed in each of two metal bodies, which surround the measurement element (1) and serve as magnetic poles. During operation of the measurement head the gas sample flows substantially perpendicularly, first through one of the metal bodies (12, 13), and then through the opening (18) on a side of the measurement element (1) facing the opening and emerges again through the other metal body (14, 15).

Abstract: There is provided a detecting apparatus including one or a plurality of magnetic coupling elements that include a plurality of coils, and a detector that measures an electrical parameter related to the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements or to a circuit that at least includes the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements, and determines from a change in the electrical parameter whether a foreign matter that generates heat due to magnetic flux is present. In the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements, the plurality of coils are electrically connected such that magnetic flux produced from at least one or more of the plurality of coils and magnetic flux produced from remaining coils of the plurality of coils have approximately opposing orientations.

Abstract: A nano scale resonator, a nano scale sensor, and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The nano scale resonator includes a resonance unit of nano scale configured to resonate based on an applied signal, and an anchor on a substrate, the anchor being configured to support the resonance unit, the anchor having an air gap within boundaries of the anchor, the resonance unit, and the substrate, the air gap being configured to reflect a vertical wave occurring in the resonance unit.

Abstract: A fluid sensor and method for determining at least one parameter of a fluid of a wellbore is provided. The fluid sensor has a base positionable on a downhole tool and a pair of electrodes. The base is provided with insulation. The pair of electrodes is operatively positioned in the insulation. The pair of electrodes has a space therebetween for passage of the wellbore fluid therethrough. A first of the pair of electrodes is interlaced with a second of the pair of electrodes such that at least a portion of the second of the pair of electrodes is surrounded by the first of the pair of electrodes. A voltage applied across the pair of electrodes generates a current therebetween whereby at least one parameter of the wellbore fluid may be determined. The fluid sensor is deployable into the wellbore via the downhole tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring relative humidity including condensing environmental conditions using a circuit with a capacitive humidity sensor and a reference resistor each connected to an input of a switch device and thence a quadrature sampling circuit. A sinusoidal source is first connected to the reference resistor and secondly to the capacitive humidity while a signal ground is first connected to the capacitive humidity sensor and secondly to the reference resistor. This produces a first voltage and a second voltage that are each sampled in quadrature. A complex ratio of the sampled voltages is calculated and converted into a representation of relative humidity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and using the oxidation-reduction characteristics of a biological sample are provided. The system generally includes a test strip and a readout device. A fluid sample is placed in the test strip, and the test strip is in turn operatively connected to the readout device. The readout device provides a controlled current that is sent across the fluid in the sample chamber. In addition, the readout device identifies an inflection point or transition time at which the voltage between contacts of the test strip is changing at the highest rate. The oxidation-reduction capacity of the sample is taken as the integral of the current profile from the time at which current begins to be supplied to the sample to the identified transition time.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a sensor and a sensor electronics device. The sensor includes a plurality of electrodes. The sensor electronics device includes a connection detection device, a power source, and a delay circuit. The connection detection device determines if the sensor electronics device is connected to the sensor and transmits a connection signal. The delay circuit receives the connection signal, waits a preset hydration time, and couples the regulated voltage from the power source to an electrode in the sensor after the preset hydration time has elapsed. Alternatively, the sensor electronics device may include an electrical detection circuit and a microcontroller. The electrical detection circuit determines if the plurality of electrodes are hydrated and generates an interrupt if the electrodes are hydrated. A microcontroller receives the interrupt and transmits a signal representative of a voltage to an electrode of the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A gas sensor (1) includes at least a sensor element (12) which measures the concentration of a specific gas component, a housing (13) which accommodates the sensor element (12), and a base portion (21) which is attached to the housing and is formed of resin. The base portion includes a first base portion (22) which is a portion of the base portion located on the side toward the housing and which is molded integrally with the housing, and a second base portion (23) which is molded separately from the first base portion, which is a portion of the base portion located opposite the housing, and which has a connector portion (23c) in which a plurality of terminals (26) electrically connected to the sensor element are disposed such that they extend in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the sensor element.

Abstract: An electrolytic gas sensor which is sensitive to a specific gas and has a working, reference and counter electrode is functionally monitored. A differential voltage between the reference and working electrodes is amplified and the potential of the counter electrode is regulated to minimize the differential voltage. Then a measured current flowing into the counter electrode approximately proportionally to the gas concentration of the gas to be detected arises. Independently of the determination of the gas concentration, a working, counter and reference voltage which is present at the three electrodes in each case is captured and monitored for an impermissible deviation. In an impermissible case an assigned error message is then output. Online monitoring of the gas sensor is thus possible and no interruption of the measurement operation for test purposes and additional components are required.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to make it possible to accurately and easily find out a solution when an error occurs and to make a display on a screen up to attaining the solution to be easily visible for a user, and has a solution display mode of sequentially displaying a plurality of question sentences in accordance with error content together with choices to the respective question sentences and displaying a next question sentence associated with the choice selected by a user and a choice to the next question sentence or a solution to the error content, and the choice to each of the question sentences is displayed together with a diagram showing the content of the corresponding choice.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing whether a subject is at high risk for developing atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) is provided. The method comprises the following steps: (1) providing a specimen from a subject; (2) analyzing the specimen by using a gradient gel electrophoresis analysis; and (3) based on the result of the gel electrophoresis analysis in step (2), determining if the subject is at high risk for developing atherosclerotic vascular disease.

Abstract: Electrophoresis tray arranged to support an electrophoresis cassette for miming electrophoresis experiments, the electrophoresis cassette comprising a gel member in a housing with a front and a back face, wherein the tray comprises a cassette support surface for supporting at least the separation zone of the electrophoresis cassette during electrophoresis, and wherein the cassette support surface is flanked by a pair of buffer pad holders each one arranged to hold a buffer pad in a mating position with respect to buffer connection sections at the back face of the electrophoresis cassette.

Abstract: Probes for monitoring electrostatic phenomena in challenging environments, such as fluidized bed reactors. These probes include a coated or uncoated static probe for measuring electric field and or particle charge state, an oscillatory electric field probe for measuring electric field, a chopped electric field probe for measuring electric field, and a radio-frequency antenna probe for detecting electrostatic discharges.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for rapid and quantitative extraction and detection of coenzyme Q10 in a sample readily adaptable to high throughput screening methods. The invention further provides reagents and kits for practicing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample that contains a plurality of lipid isomers is described that involves forming one or more lipid metal ion adducts and transporting the one or more lipid metal ion adducts through a differential mobility spectrometer to cause separation of the one or more lipid metal ion adducts from each other. The lipid isomers can be chosen, for example, from fatty acids, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, saccharolipids, polyketides, sterol lipids, and prenol lipids. Particular examples include phosphatidylcholine regioisomers such as 1-palmatoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) and 1-oleoyl-2-palmatoyl-sn-phosphatidylcholine and triacylglycerols containing palmetic and oleic acid groups. The metal chosen can include a cationization reagent that contains sodium, potassium, silver or lithium.

Abstract: There is provided a detecting apparatus including one or a plurality of magnetic coupling elements that include a plurality of coils, a positioning unit disposed near at least one coil from among the plurality of coils included in the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements, and a detector that measures an electrical parameter related to the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements or to a circuit that at least includes the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements, and determines from a change in the electrical parameter whether a foreign matter capable of generating heat due to magnetic flux is present.

Abstract: This invention features systems and methods for the detection of analytes, and their use in the treatment and diagnosis of disease.

Abstract: The rotary transformer 5 includes a plate-shaped stator 51 having a coil arranged on one surface thereof, and a plate-shaped rotator 52 having a coil arranged on one surface thereof, in which the respective coil-arranged surfaces are disposed to face with each other so that signal transmission in a frequency range of 1 to 10 MHz is performed between the coils. The stator includes a substrate 512 on which a plurality of one-turn coils are formed into a concentric shape, and a supporting member 513. The rotator includes a substrate 522 on which one-turn coils 521 of same number are formed into a concentric shape, and a supporting member 523. Air or a material M which is an insulator and has a relative magnetic permeability substantially equal to 1 is lying between the substrate 512 and the supporting member 513, and between the substrate 522 and the supporting member 523.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a composite structure. A thickness profile of a portion of a region of a composite structure is identified. The region has a cross-section with non-parallel surfaces. An estimated thickness for a location within the region and outside of the portion is identified using the thickness profile. An indication of whether the location has undesirable porosity is generated based on information about attenuation of response sound signals and the estimated thickness for the location.

Abstract: A device for calibrating and testing echotomographic equipment comprises an electric motor, a pair screw—female screw, wherein the screw is connected to an outlet shaft of the motor and the female screw is mobile with respect to a supporting plane, so as to transform a rotary motion of the motor shaft into a linear motion, a piston connected to the female screw and linearly mobile, coherently to the female screw, a membrane stressed by the piston, means apt to allow propagating ultrasound waves towards/from said membrane.

Abstract: A system for inspecting the surface of a curved object is provided. This system includes an object having a curved surface; at least one substantially flat interdigital transducer, wherein the interdigital transducer is operative to generate surface energy waves; and at least one coupling device disposed between the curved surface and the substantially flat interdigital transducer, wherein the coupling device is operative to conform to the curved surface, support the interdigital transducer, and provide a medium through which the surface energy waves can effectively travel from the interdigital transducer to the curved surface and across the curved surface in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A gas chromatograph mass spectrometer including: an oven for gas chromatography, a mass spectrometry part, a sample vaporization chamber, a gas supply part, and a control part. When the replacement operation of a septum or a glass insert begins, the control part controls the gas supply part so that the flow rate of a carrier gas has a constant pressure and then controls heaters so that temperature is equal to or less than a temperature at which replacement is possible. When temperature becomes equal to or less than the temperature at which replacement is possible and the replacement operation of the septum or the glass insert is completed, the control part controls the heaters so that the temperature is an analysis temperature and controls the gas supply part to employ the same control method for the flow rate of the carrier gas as that before the replacement operation is begun.

Abstract: A method for testing a condition of a catalyst is provided. The method includes providing a gas source in communication with the catalyst. The method also includes passing compressed gas from the gas source over the catalyst at normal operating temperature. The method further includes invoking a reaction with the catalyst based on the passage of the compressed gas. The method includes measuring a performance of the catalyst based on the reaction.

Abstract: An indicator for a sterilization process is configured to function for two different sterilization conditions. The indicator includes two pass zones to indicate whether an acceptable sterilization has occurred after a sterilization process at a first condition of after a sterilization process at a second condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a leak detector comprising a first sensor for detecting a gas component (helium) in a gas taken in. Because the sensor is susceptible to saturation or contamination, a second sensor is provided. The sensor is a thermal conductivity sensor. The thermal conductivity sensor has a lower detection sensitivity, yet, at a high concentration of the gas component, it does not risk being contaminated. The two sensors together allow for a large detection range, from extremely sensitive measurements to instances with high concentrations of the gas components as those which can occur with gross leaks.

Abstract: A total organic carbon meter including a sample introduction mechanism that includes a case in which a sample introduction and rod opening is formed; a sample introduction rod at the front end part of which a sample tray is arranged and which is inserted in the set direction through the sample introduction and rod opening; and a cover formed on the outer circumferential surface of the sample introduction rod, wherein the insertion of the sample introduction rod, on the front end part of which a sample tray has been arranged, through the sample introduction and rod opening, causes the gap between the sample introduction and rod opening and the sample introduction rod to be closed by the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for copper strip corrosion testing of high vapor pressure hydrocarbon products using a dual test chamber system to provide over pressure protection to the chambers and containment of the liquid and vapor being tested.

Abstract: A method for measuring through optical means temporally resolved, optical properties, and/or phenotypes that are linked to cellular homeostasis. Those temporal measurements enable the detection of cell regulation through various channels linked to homeostasis, in order to monitor cell viability.

Abstract: An electro-optical stimulation and recording system is disclosed, including a substrate and a plurality of wells coupled to the substrate. The system also includes at least one electrode set disposed proximate a respective one of the plurality of wells, wherein the electrode set comprises at least one electrode configured to collect an electric signal associated with at least a portion of the respective well. The system also includes a light-emitting element set corresponding to a respective one of the wells and configured to deliver optical stimulation to at least a portion of the respective well.

Abstract: A method for the in vitro diagnosis of an invasive fungal infection by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The method involves, providing a liquid biological sample from a mammal, said biological sample containing, in particular, proteins and/or lipids and/or salts and/or polysaccharides and/or oligosaccharides and/or monosaccharides capable of forming complexes with said proteins and/or lipids and/or salts; treating said sample with biological liquid so as to extract said polysaccharides and/or oligosaccharides and/or monosaccharides; determining, by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, whether or not there is present among said extracted polysaccharides, oligosaccharides and/or monosaccharides, at least one given compound of interest coming from said fungal microorganism and chosen from polysaccharides, oligosaccharides and monosaccharides; and deducing, if said given compound of interest is present in said sample, that said mammal is suffering from an invasive fungal infection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel mechanisms in the aging process and describes novel methods for high-throughput screening to identify, detect, and purify agents to be used for improving mitochondrial function, maintaining the cell cycle-arrested state in senescent and post mitotic cells, and thus preventing or treating age-related diseases or disorders associated with accelerated mitochondrial function loss, telomere dysfunction, and/or deterioration of the growth-arrested state. The present invention also discloses a number of compounds or compositions identified from this method. The present invention further provides the use of low doses of rapamycin or its analogs as a mimic of caloric restriction in preventing age-related diseases or disorders.

Abstract: A variety of applications, systems, methods and constructs are implemented for use in connection with screening of ion-channel modulators. Consistent with one such system, drug candidates are screened to identify their effects on cell membrane ion channels and pumps. The system includes screening cells having light responsive membrane ion switches, voltage-gated ion switches and fluorescence producing voltage sensors. A chemical delivery device introduces the drug candidates to be screened. An optical delivery device activates the light responsive ion switches. An optical sensor monitors fluorescence produced by the voltage sensors. A processor processes data received from the optical sensor. A memory stores the data received from the optical sensor.

Abstract: The invention is an assay designed to identify agents that modulate apoptosis. The invention provides an assay system and methods for screening for inhibitors of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. In various aspects the invention provides an assay system containing a liposome reagent and an immobilized BH3 domain peptide. In further aspects the invention provides an assay system containing mitochondria, an immobilized BH3 domain peptide and a mitochondrial binding agent, e.g. an anti-VDAC anti-body.