Abstract: Sensor elements are disclosed for the electrochemically analyzing a body fluid, as well as methods of producing and using the same. The sensor elements include an electrically conductive layer structure applied to a non-conductive carrier substrate, where the layer structure includes a continuous base layer of tantalum, niobium or an alloy thereof, and a metallic cover layer formed on the base layer that covers the base layer either over the entire surface or in some regions. The metallic cover layer includes a more noble metal when compared to the base layer.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a transistor and a reactive electrode. The transistor has a source, a drain and a gate surface disposed therebetween. The reactive electrode is spaced apart from the gate surface of the transistor, has a receptor immobilized thereon for specific binding with an analyte in a liquid sample, and is configured to contact the liquid sample together with the gate surface of the transistor.

Abstract: The concentration measurement method includes: introducing a predetermined amount of the biological sample into the capillary; measuring a temperature of the biological sample by applying a first voltage to the electrode unit when the temperature of the biological sample is measured, the first voltage allowing the temperature measurement to be less affected by increase and reduction in an amount of the analyte contained in the biological sample; measuring the concentration of the analyte contained in the biological sample by applying a second voltage to the electrode unit; measuring an environmental temperature in a surrounding of the biological sample; and correcting the concentration of the measured analyte based on the measured temperature of the biological sample and the measured environmental temperature.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for scaling body fluid analysis data to correct and/or compensate for confounding variables such as hematocrit (Hct), temperature, variations in electrode conductivity or combinations thereof before providing an analyte concentration. The scaling methods utilize current response data obtained from an AC block applied prior to a DC block to minimize the impact of such confounding variables upon the observed DC current response before creating descriptors or algorithms. The scaling methods therefore compensate the measured DC current by using data from the AC block made on the same sample. Also disclosed are devices, apparatuses and systems incorporating the various scaling methods.

Abstract: In a cross section of the gas sensor element which is perpendicular to its lengthwise direction and through which all first to fourth lead portions penetrate, when the cross section is bisected into two regions with respect to the width direction of the gas sensor element, the first lead portion and the fourth lead portion are disposed in one of the regions and the second lead portion and the third lead portion are disposed in the other region, and the second lead portion and the third lead portion are disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the width direction with no overlap as viewed in a stacking direction.

Abstract: A field-effect transistor includes a control electrode configured as a heating unit having two terminals, in particular for heating the control electrode. The heating unit is configured as a meander-type heating element.

Abstract: The described embodiments may provide a method of fabricating a chemical detection device. The method may comprise forming a microwell above a CMOS device. The microwell may comprise a bottom surface and sidewalls. The method may further comprise applying a first chemical to be selectively attached to the bottom surface of the microwell, forming a metal oxide layer on the sidewalls of the microwell, and applying a second chemical to be selectively attached to the sidewalls of the microwell. The second chemical may lack an affinity to the first chemical.

Abstract: An EWOD (or AM-EWOD) device includes a reference electrode and a plurality of array elements, each array element including an array element electrode, and control electronics. In a first mode optimized for EWOD actuation, the control electronics is configured to control a supply of time varying voltages to the array element electrodes and the reference electrode, thereby generating an actuation voltage as a potential difference between voltages at the array element electrodes and the reference electrode. The reference electrode includes a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection. In a second mode, the control electronics further is configured to supply an electrical current flow between the first electrical connection and the second electrical connection to generate resistance heat for controlling temperature of the EWOD device. Control may include sensing a temperature of the EWOD device, and switching between operating in the first or second mode based on the sensed temperature.

Abstract: A method of separating ions comprises causing ions to separate according to their ion mobility or differential ion mobility by virtue of their interactions with a buffer gas within an ion mobility or differential ion mobility separation device. The buffer gas comprises one or more organic, organosilicon or silicon-based compounds.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing an algorithm or relationship that relates the ion mobilities of an analyte ion through three gases of different polarizability to the mass of the analyte ion; measuring the ion mobilities of an analyte ion through first, second and third different drift gases; and using the measured ion mobilities and said algorithm or relationship to determine the mass of the analyte ion. Embodiments of the invention enable the mass of an analyte to be determined without having to know the specific properties of the analyte ion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas analyzing device (1) which comprises at least one ion mobility spectrometer (2). Said gas analyzing device (1) also comprises an energy supply device (50) interacting with a reaction chamber (5) of the ion mobility spectrometer (2) which is designed to manipulate the density of free reactant ions in the reaction chamber (5) by supplying energy. The invention also relates to a method for analyzing gas by means of a gas analyzing device according to the ion mobility spectrometry.

Abstract: Methods and system for performing magnetic induction tomography imaging of an object are provided. An apparatus includes an array of unit cells and a control circuit coupled to the array of unit cells. The array of unit cells can generate a first magnetic field using an excitation pattern in the direction of a target object and sense a second magnetic field induced in the target object by the first magnetic field. The control circuit can determine a minimum of the first magnetic field. The minimum may correspond to a higher conductivity region of the target object. The control circuit can adjust the excitation pattern based on the higher conductivity region of the target object.

Abstract: A method for recognizing the presence of liquid (30) in a gas flow flowing in a pipeline uses an ultrasound flowmeter (10). Measurement paths are provided in pairs which are displaced vertically by an equal predefined distance with respect to the center axis such that one lies in an upper region above the center axis and one lies beneath the center axis. A check is made in three stages to define various measurement values, turbulence values and speed of sound values. A liquid warning signal is output when an invalid measurement value is delivered in the first stage, or when the ratio of the turbulence values in the second stage differs from 1 by more than a predefined tolerance value, or when the ratio of the speeds of sound in the third stage differs from 1 by more than a predefined tolerance ratio.

Abstract: A photoacoustic microscope includes a light source, an objective lens, a light scanner, a photoacoustic wave detector, and a calculation unit. The light source emits excitation light. The objective lens focuses the excitation light within a specimen. The light scanner scans the specimen with the excitation light. The photoacoustic wave detector detects photoacoustic waves. The calculation unit uses a correlation coefficient to calculate a shift in waveform due to a change over time in photoacoustic waves between a standard position and a calculation position. The calculation unit calculates the depth from the standard position at the calculation position based on the shift.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for non-destructive testing of a composite part that includes at least two magnetic bodies, at least one of said at least two magnetic bodies being adapted such as to exercise a force of attraction such as to allow mutual restraint, or restraint of one by the other, of the magnetic bodies on either side of said part, said magnetic bodies being intended to be positioned directly on at least one wall of the part to be tested; and at least one transmitting ultrasound probe positioned on one of said magnetic bodies, and at least one receiving ultrasound probe positioned on the other one of said magnetic bodies.

Abstract: Systems and methods for focusing a light pulse within a focus area using nonlinear photoacoustic wavefront shaping (PAWS) are disclosed herein. The method includes modulating a spatial phase pattern of a light pulse's waveform based on a Grueneisen-relaxation photoacoustic (GR-PA) feedback signal. In addition, systems and methods for performing Grueneisen-relaxation photoacoustic microscopy (GR-PAM) are disclosed herein that include analyzing photoacoustic signals resulting from illumination of a focus region by two closely spaced light pulses. A method of obtaining an absorption coefficient of a sample using Grueneisen-relaxation photoacoustic microscopy (GR-PAM) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for inspecting railroad rail using phased array ultrasonic technology includes both high-speed and high-resolution inspection modes that obviate the need for an operator to dismount the truck to perform detail inspection. In high-speed inspection mode, the phased array probes operate at fixed angles with respect to the rail to identify potential rail defects as the vehicle moves along the track. The vehicle can then return to the location of a potential rail defect and switch to a high-resolution inspection mode in which the phased array probes sweep over a range of beam angles at the location of a potential rail defect.

Abstract: A rotary valve comprising a stator and a rotor wherein the stator comprises at least three inlet primary connection ports, at least three outlet primary connection ports, at least three inlet secondary connection ports and at least three outlet secondary connection ports, and wherein rotor interconnection paths are arranged to in the different rotor positions interconnect the inlet primary connection ports with the inlet secondary connection ports and the outlet primary connection ports with the outlet secondary connection ports such that all of at least three inlet secondary connection ports can be connected one at the time to each of at least three inlet primary connection port and all of at least three outlet secondary connection ports can be connected one at the time to each of at least three outlet primary connection port by rotating the rotor into the different rotor positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to determine whether a sample transmitted through a transfer line from a remote sampling system contains a suitable sample to analyze by an analysis system. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a sample receiving line configured to receive a liquid segment a first detector configured to detect the liquid segment at a first location in the sample receiving line; a second detector configured to detect the liquid segment at a second location in the sample receiving line downstream from the first location; and a controller configured to register a continuous liquid segment in the sample receiving line when the first detector and the second detector match detection states prior to the controller registering a change of state of the first detector.

Abstract: The invention discloses a piston for a process column, said piston comprising a top side and a bed contact side, wherein said top side comprises a drainage trench.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for glycopeptide analysis includes an enrichment column capable of binding carbohydrates; a trapping column capable of binding peptides, wherein the trapping column is configured to be connected downstream of the enrichment column; a separation column, wherein the separation column is configured to be connected downstream of the trapping column; and a plurality of ports configured to work with a switching device to form a plurality of flow paths, wherein one of the plurality of flow paths allows the trapping column to be in fluid communication with the separation column. A method for glycopeptide analysis using a microfluidic device comprising a trapping column and a separation column, the method includes applying a sample of peptides to the microfluidic device; trapping the peptides on the trapping column; eluting the peptides from the trapping column into the separation column; and separating the peptides on the separation column.

Abstract: A dual quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor is disclosed for use in a hand-held detection device (10) for detecting the presence of an odorant in hydrocarbon gaseous fuels. The odorant is a thiol-based compound, such as ethanethiol. One QCM (16) is coated with a coating typically containing a reagent that specifically reacts with the thiol of the odorant and alters its oscillation frequency as a result of mass gained in the reaction. A second QCM (16?) serves as a control and the two frequency signals may be heterodyned (26) to produce a delta-frequency representative of the mass change. Circuitry and signal processing (32) are used to produce a final result correlated to the level of thiol in the hydrocarbon gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for determining mixing ratios of flowing media, in particular for determining the mixing ratios of two gases by using two flow resistances with different characteristic curves, each flow resistance containing a differential pressure sensor and being connected in series, where one flow resistance is formed by a sintered metal filter and another flow resistance is formed by an orifice.

Abstract: An apparatus for the combined assessment of dissolution and permeability relies on a receiver chamber that is contained within a donor chamber. A membrane is provided between the two chambers. Measurements can be taken to determine solute amounts of a drug introduced in the donor chamber and amounts of permeated solute in the receiver chamber. Also described are techniques for the assessment of a dissolution rate and total amount of dissolved compound, together with their effect on absorption potential of a compound or a compound product as well as approaches for evaluating in vivo relevant differences between formulations of a compound through their effect on the absorption potential of the compound.

Abstract: Consistometers for testing of cement slurry samples under pressure include a pressure vessel having a lower end opening. A piston is disposed within the lower end opening and is moveable to adjust the available volume of and pressure within a sample chamber within the pressure vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are related to methods for administering compositions of vanoxerine (GBR 12909) to patients by calibrating an effective dose for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the substantially non-invasive diagnosis of liver disease, especially to enable intervention in the progression of such disease at an early stage. This invention further relates to the use of plasma biomarkers to differentiate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and normal controls. Specifically, the invention relates to the use of free eicosanoids and other polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolite levels in plasma to differentiate NASH from NAFL and non-NAFLD normal controls.

Abstract: The disclosed technology brings histopathology into the operating theatre, to enable real-time intra-operative digital pathology. The disclosed technology utilizes confocal imaging devices image, in the operating theatre, “optical slices” of fresh tissue—without the need to physically slice and otherwise process the resected tissue as required by frozen section analysis (FSA). The disclosed technology, in certain embodiments, includes a simple, operating-table-side digital histology scanner, with the capability of rapidly scanning all outer margins of a tissue sample (e.g., resection lump, removed tissue mass). Using point-scanning microscopy technology, the disclosed technology, in certain embodiments, precisely scans a thin “optical section” of the resected tissue, and sends the digital image to a pathologist rather than the real tissue, thereby providing the pathologist with the opportunity to analyze the tissue intra-operatively.

Abstract: The invention provides a culture of patterned cardiomyocytes, the culture including a support substrate bearing a multielectrode array, a negative surface resistant to cell attachment and deposited on the support substrate covering the multi-electrode array, a pattern ablated on the negative surface, a positive surface promoting cell attachment deposited on the pattern ablated on the negative surface; and cardiomyocytes adherent to the positive surface and growing aligned along the pattern ablated on the negative surface. The invention also includes a method of making the culture of patterned cardiomyocytes and a method of in vitro method of testing the effect of a compound on cardiac function by measuring electrical output from the patterned cardiomyocytes.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for predicting a health-state indicative of the presence of ovarian cancer (OC). The method measures the intensities of specific small organic molecules, called metabolites, in a blood sample from a patient with an undetermined health-state, and compares these intensities to those observed in a population of healthy individuals and/or to the intensities previously observed in a population of confirmed ovarian cancer-positive individuals. Specifically, the present invention relates to the diagnosis of OC through the measurement of vitamin E isoforms and related metabolites. The method enables a practitioner to determine the probability that a screened patient is positive or at risk for ovarian cancer.

Abstract: A method using variable bead-oscillation-based stress parameters, including relative bead dimensionality or other structural features as well as stress duration or intensity or overall magnitude, in inducing different shear stresses in biological samples, for testing the effects of different combinations of various defined stress conditions.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for quantification of hepatic function in a subject comprising measuring the clearance of an orally administered isotopically labeled cholic acid in a subject with, or suspected of having or developing, a hepatic disorder, for example, chronic hepatitis C. The disclosure further provides methods and kits for assessment of hepatic function.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-metabolite platform using one or more metabolite selected from a group consisting of tryptophan, homoserine, fatty acid (16:1), fatty acid (18:0), fatty acid (18:1), fatty acid (18:2), fatty acid (22:6), phosphatidylcholine (PC) (34:2), PC (34:3), lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) (16:0), lysoPC (18:0), lysoPC (20:3), lysoPC (20:4), lysoPC (22:6), monoglyceride (18:1/0:0/0:0) and sphingomyelin (d18:2/16:0) as a biomarker, which can diagnose acute coronary syndrome as well as the symptoms occurring prior to the onset of the disease simply and accurately through in-vivo level analysis.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for analysis of disease cell response to a therapeutic agent. In embodiments, a method comprises administering the therapeutic agent to a disease cell sample from the subject in a device that measures at least one physiological parameter of a cell; determining whether a change occurs in the physiologic parameter of the disease cell sample in response to the therapeutic agent as compared to a baseline measurement or the physiological parameter before administration of the therapeutic agent, and selecting the therapeutic agent that results in the change in the at least one physiologic parameter. In embodiments, the disease cells are whole, viable, and/or label free.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for screening a substance involved in a metabolic shift of skeletal muscle, and a kit for screening a substance involved in a metabolic shift of skeletal muscle. The object can be solved by a muscle stem cell or myoblast comprising at least one myosin-heavy chain fusion gene selected from the group consisting of a myosin-heavy chain I fusion gene wherein a myosin-heavy chain I gene and a fluorescent protein or photoprotein gene are fused, a myosin-heavy chain IIa fusion gene wherein a myosin-heavy chain IIa gene and a fluorescent protein or photoprotein gene are fused, a myosin-heavy chain IId/x fusion gene wherein a myosin-heavy chain IId/x gene and a fluorescent protein or photoprotein gene are fused, and a myosin-heavy chain IIb fusion gene wherein a myosin-heavy chain IIb gene and a fluorescent protein or photoprotein gene are fused.

Abstract: The invention provides markers indicative of pre-cachexia, compositions and methods for identifying patients with a molecular signature indicative of pre-cachexia; a culture system that reproduces the cachetic process in cells in vitro, which facilitates the screening and identification of therapeutic agents useful for disrupting (slowing, reducing, reversing, or preventing) the progression of pre-cachexia to refractory cachexia; as well as therapeutic agents identified using the culture system of the invention.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for determining the developmental potential of one or more embryos are provided. These methods, compositions and kits find use in identifying embryos in vitro that are most useful in treating infertility in humans.

Abstract: The present invention describes a spatial addressing technique that uses a very high-density micro-pore array for high-throughput screening of biological interactions. The therapeutic, diagnostic, and drug-discovery implications of being able to identify, select and characterize specific protein-protein, protein-DNA and/or protein-carbohydrate interactions from heterogeneous populations of millions (to billions) of cells is discussed. Importantly, this technique possesses the screening and selection capacity of current display-based screening systems (i.e. millions-billions) but with greater efficiency and shorter time.

Abstract: Fluidic systems and methods for analyses are provided. In some embodiments, systems and methods for improved measurement of absorbance/transmission through fluidic systems are described. Specifically, in one set of embodiments, optical elements are fabricated on one side of a transparent fluidic device opposite a series of fluidic channels. The optical elements may guide incident light passing through the device such that most of the light is dispersed away from specific areas of the device, such as intervening portions between the fluidic channels. By decreasing the amount of light incident upon these intervening portions, the amount of noise in the detection signal can be decreased when using certain optical detection systems.

Abstract: Fluidic connectors, methods, and devices for performing analyses (e.g., immunoassays) in microfluidic systems are provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic connector having a fluid path is used to connect two independent channels formed in a substrate so as to allow fluid communication between the two independent channels. One or both of the independent channels may be pre-filled with reagents (e.g., antibody solutions, washing buffers and amplification reagents), which can be used to perform the analysis. These reagents may be stored in the channels of the substrate for long periods amounts of time (e.g., 1 year) prior to use.

Abstract: The invention, in some aspects relates to compositions and methods for imaging biological systems and physiological activity and conditions in cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide substrates selectively recognized by botulinum toxin type A, BoNT/E, and their uses, in particular for carrying out methods for detecting, identifying and/or diagnosing botulinum toxin type E.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for diagnosing, monitoring, and otherwise characterizing a myopathy and for detecting the presence of autoantibodies in a biological sample.

Abstract: Methods and kits for diagnosing and determining prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma are described.

Abstract: A polynucleotide, which is a novel causative gene for cancer, is elucidated, and, based on this finding, provided are a method for detecting the polynucleotide, or a polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide; a kit and a primer set for the detection; a method for screening an inhibitor of the polypeptide; and a pharmaceutical composition for treating a cancer containing the inhibitor. In the detection method of the present invention, an NTRK3 fusion protein, or a fusion gene encoding the fusion protein, or an ETV6 fusion protein, or a fusion gene encoding the fusion protein, in a sample derived from the digestive system obtained from a subject, is detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays and methods for determining an individual's risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) by analyzing a pre-cancerous polyp tissue sample. The present invention also provides assay and methods for selecting an anti-cancer therapeutic drug for an individual diagnosed as having early stage CRC.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying Leukemic stem cells (LSC), based on measurement of the presence of a specific set of markers. The invention further relates to a container for use in performing the method. Also provided is application of the method for predicting response to therapy and/or chance of relapse of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and application of the method in the context of screening for compounds that specifically eradicate Leukemic cells and not benign cells.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for detecting premalignant and malignant neoplasms. For example, methods and materials for determining whether or not a stool sample from a mammal contains nucleic acid markers or polypeptide markers of a neoplasm are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an IHC assay for detecting and quantifying spatially proximal pairs of PD-1-expressing cells (PD-1+ cells) and PD-Ligand-expressing cells (PD-L+ cells) in tumor tissue, and the use of the assay to generate proximity biomarkers that are predictive of which cancer patients are most likely to benefit from treatment with a PD-1 antagonist. The disclosure also provides methods for testing tumor samples for the proximity biomarkers, as well as methods for treating subjects with a PD-1 antagonist based on the test results.

Abstract: Genetic fusions of proteins, for example single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), with a positively-charged domain enhanced immobilization of active protein in a desired orientation.