Abstract: Systems and approaches for silicon germanium thickness and composition determination using combined XPS and XRF technologies are described. In an example, a method for characterizing a silicon germanium film includes generating an X-ray beam. A sample is positioned in a pathway of said X-ray beam. An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) signal generated by bombarding said sample with said X-ray beam is collected. An X-ray fluorescence (XRF) signal generated by bombarding said sample with said X-ray beam is also collected. Thickness or composition, or both, of the silicon germanium film is determined from the XRF signal or the XPS signal, or both.

Abstract: This disclosure presents systems for total reflection x-ray fluorescence measurements that have x-ray flux and x-ray flux density several orders of magnitude greater than existing x-ray technologies. These may therefore useful for applications such as trace element detection and/or for total-reflection fluorescence analysis. The higher brightness is achieved in part by using designs for x-ray targets that comprise a number of microstructures of one or more selected x-ray generating materials fabricated in close thermal contact with a substrate having high thermal conductivity. This allows for bombardment of the targets with higher electron density or higher energy electrons, which leads to greater x-ray brightness and therefore greater x-ray flux. The high brightness/high flux source may then be coupled to an x-ray reflecting optical system, which can focus the high flux x-rays to a spots that can be as small as one micron, leading to high flux density.

Abstract: In an analyzing apparatus for analyzing compositions using a fluorescent X-ray in the atmosphere, a calibration to eliminate influences caused by a time-dependent change is performed. The analyzing apparatus includes an emission unit, a detection unit, an environment measurement unit, and a time-dependent change calculation unit. The emission unit emits a primary X-ray. The detection unit detects an intensity of a secondary X-ray passing through the atmosphere. The environment measurement unit measures an environment parameter defining the atmosphere. The time-dependent change calculation unit calculates a time-dependent change of the intensity of the secondary X-ray between a first timing and a second timing, based on a first environment parameter, a first intensity of the secondary X-ray, a second environment parameter, and a second intensity of the secondary X-ray.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for measuring supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid throttling coefficient under different viscosities. The device for measuring supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid throttling coefficient under different viscosities comprises a supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid throttling coefficient measurement system and a supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid viscosity adjustment apparatus; the supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid throttling coefficient measurement system determines throttling coefficient of a high temperature and high pressure supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid, and the supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid viscosity adjustment apparatus determines viscosity of the high temperature and high pressure supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid.

Abstract: A method for detecting an enthalpy change includes providing a first mixture and a second mixture to a drop generator. The first mixture includes a ligand. The second mixture contains a target molecule. The method further includes generating a drop in the drop generator. The drop includes the target molecule, a temperature-sensitive reporter compound, and the ligand. The method also includes measuring a property of the temperature-sensitive reporter compound in the drop to determine an amount of enthalpy change that has occurred.

Abstract: A method for analyzing objects depending on their electromagnetic properties. The method including the steps of conveying the objects to be analyzed on a conveyer belt; scanning the electromagnetic properties of the objects and the conveyer belt by an electromagnetic sensor, wherein the electromagnetic properties of the conveyer belt are dependent on metallic contaminants which are stuck in the conveyer belt; generating belt properties data representing the electromagnetic properties of the conveyer belt, and analyzing the objects according to the scanned electromagnetic properties and the belt properties data. This has the benefits that the electromagnetic properties of the conveyer belt are considered when distinguishing between metallic and non-metallic objects which have to be sorted. This way, the objects which got stuck in the conveyer belt over time, may influence a sorting less, which may improve sorting results. Further, an apparatus for executing such a method.

Abstract: Provided is a capacitive humidity sensor. The capacitive humidity sensor includes an upper electrode disposed on a first plane, a plurality of first electrodes included in the upper electrode, a plurality of second electrodes disposed between the first electrodes, and a humidity sensitive layer surrounding the second electrodes.

Abstract: Methods and devices for determining factor Xa inhibitors, in particular heparins and fractionated or low-molecular-weight heparins, as well as direct factor Xa inhibitors in blood samples. The methods include contacting a blood sample with a detection reagent that contains at least one thrombin substrate having a peptide residue that can be cleaved by thrombin and is amidically bound via the carboxyl end to an electrogenic substance, and with a known amount of factor X reagent and an activator reagent which induces the conversion of factor X into factor Xa. Subsequently, in a second step, the amount or activity of the electrogenic substance that is cleaved from the thrombin substrate by the factor Xa-mediated thrombin activation and/or the time course thereof is determined as the measurement signal using electrochemical methods.

Abstract: Methods for determining a concentration of an analyte in a sample, and the devices and systems used in conjunction with the same, are provided herein. In one exemplary embodiment of a method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a sample, a sample including an analyte is provided in a sample analyzing device having a working and a counter electrode. An electric potential is applied between the electrodes and a first analyte concentration is determined. A second analyte concentration value is calculated from the first analyte concentration value and corrected for temperature effects, fill time and capacitance to provide for a final analyte concentration value.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a reagent composition having higher storage stability; a sensor involving the reagent composition; and others. According to the present invention, a specific heterocyclic compound is added to a reagent composition to improve the storage stability of the reagent composition and reduce the degree of fluctuation in current values in a sensor that utilizes reagent composition.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring an analyte concentration in a fluidic sample. Such methods further allow one to provide an error code or correct and/or compensate for interferents such as an antioxidant before providing an analyte concentration. The measurement methods utilize information obtained from test sequences having at least one DC block, such as a slow-ramped bi-polar waveform, where a closed circuit condition is maintained during the DC block. The methods use information relating to status of a redox mediator feature during the electrochemical analysis to provide an antioxidant failsafe if the antioxidant is interfering with the analyte concentration. Also disclosed are devices, apparatuses and systems incorporating the various measurement methods.

Abstract: Methods and devices for determining sensing device usability, e.g., for self-monitoring and point of care devices. In one embodiment, the invention is to a method of determining device usability, comprising the steps of providing a device comprising a first electrical pad; a second electrical pad; and a humidity-responsive polymer layer contacting at least a portion of the first and second electrical pads; applying a potential across the first and second electrical pads; measuring an electrical property associated with the humidity-responsive polymer layer; and determining whether the measured electrical property associated with the humidity-responsive polymer layer has exceeded a humidity threshold level associated with the device usability.

Abstract: A coated-wire potentiometric sensor comprising an electronically conducting substrate electrode coated with an ionically conductive sensing layer and an outermost surface consisting of or comprising in and/or on a first molecular species which is capable of reversibly adsorbing a second molecular species and a method for measuring the affinity between a first molecular species and a second molecular species comprising the steps of: providing a potentiometric sensor of the coated-wire type having an outermost surface; adapting said outermost surface so that consists of or comprises said first molecular species; placing said sensor in a system for the recording of sensorgrams; recording a sensorgram of the adsorption of a second molecular species on said first molecular species of or comprised in and/or on said adapted outermost surface.

Abstract: A heater which realizes both reduction of power consumption and improvement of durability against thermal shock. The heater includes a ceramic substrate formed of a ceramic material containing alumina as a main component; and a heat-generating resistor provided on the ceramic substrate and having a heat-generating portion and a lead portion, the heat-generating resistor containing, as a main component, one or more metals selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), and rhodium (Rh), or an alloy of any of these, and a ceramic material which is the same as the ceramic material of the ceramic substrate. In the heater, the ratio of the resistance of the heat-generating portion to the sum of the resistances of the heat-generating portion and the lead portion is 76 to 95%, and the heat-generating portion has a thickness of 1 to 6 ?m.

Abstract: An O2 sensor has a sensor element, which includes a solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes. The solid electrolyte layer is held between the electrodes, which includes an atmosphere side electrode and an exhaust side electrode. A constant current circuit is installed in an electric path, which connects between the atmosphere side electrode and a ground, to induce a flow of a predetermined constant electric current between the electrodes through the solid electrolyte layer. A voltage circuit is installed in an electric path, which connects between the exhaust side electrode and a ground, to increase an electric potential of the exhaust side electrode by a predetermined amount relative to an electric potential at an output side of the constant current circuit, from which the electric current flows out of the constant current circuit.

Abstract: An A/F sensor element includes a substrate made of an insulating ceramic having a bottomed cylindrical shape, an electrolyte part made of a solid electrolyte, and a pair of electrode portions. The electrolyte part is embedded in at least a portion of the side wall of the substrate. The A/F sensor element is used by inserting a rod-like heater in the substrate having the bottomed cylindrical shape. The substrate is formed of the insulating ceramic at a contact position to the heater within the substrate. In a manufacturing of the substrate, a molded body having a space for a forming position of the electrolyte part is formed by using substrate-forming clay, and then the molded body is molded by filling electrolyte-forming clay into the space.

Abstract: The multiplexed electrochemical microfluidic paper-based analytical device comprises multiple detection zones for the detection of multiple biochemical analytes from one single sample. Cavity valves integrated on the device will deliver the sample to different detection zones. These analytes include, but are not limited to, urea, creatinine, creatine, glucose, lactate, ethanol, uric acid, cholesterol, pyruvate, creatinine, ?-hydroxybutyrate, alanine aminotrasferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and acetylcholinesterase (or its inhibitors). This system will provide a simple and low-cost POC approach to obtain quantitative and multiple biological information from one sample (e.g. one drop of blood).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring an analyte concentration in a fluidic sample. Such methods further allow one to provide an error code or correct and/or compensate for interferents such as an antioxidant before providing an analyte concentration. The measurement methods utilize information obtained from test sequences having at least one DC block, where DC block includes at least one recovery potential, and where a closed circuit condition of the electrode system is maintained during the DC block. The methods use information relating to status of a redox mediator during the electrochemical analysis to provide a statistical antioxidant failsafe using either a classifier or a discriminator to determine whether the antioxidant is interfering with the analyte concentration. Also disclosed are devices, apparatuses and systems incorporating the various measurement methods.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a digital image in fluorescence gel imaging is disclosed. The method includes providing a gel sample and placing the gel sample on a flat panel detector having array of photodiodes and transistors that collect light generated from the gel sample. The gel sample is illuminated using a light source integrated into the flat panel imaging system and light emitted by the gel sample responsive to an excitation of the gel sample by light provided by the light source is then collected, with the light emitted by the gel sample being collected by the array of photodiodes of the flat panel detector and converted to electric charges to generate light data. The light data is then processed to generate a digital image of the gel sample.

Abstract: Molecular species that are immobilized in discrete locations on a planar support such as protein bands on a gel or a blotting membrane or species applied in dots or spots on a membrane are reacted with binding reagents that are applied through a porous hydrophilic transfer sheet placed over the planar support, the sheet having at least one region that is laterally bordered by a barrier with the binding reagent retained within the bordered region. The bordered region is placed directly over an area on the planar support where the molecular species are expected to reside if they are present on the support. The binding reagent is then delivered into the support to contact the species. Targeted delivery of the binding reagent is thus achieved with improved efficiency.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus using a radio frequency and a manufacturing method thereof is provided. A sensing apparatus using a radio frequency includes a protecting layer configured to protect a substrate from migration of electrons occurring as the radio frequency is applied to a first electrode and a second electrode, a channel forming layer configured to form a channel based on a field between the first electrode and the second electrode, the channel forming layer using a polarized carbon-based nano material to form the channel, and a sensing layer configured to sense glucose using a medium material that is attached on the carbon-based nano material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure digital microfluidic arrays that may be fabricated by a printing method, whereby digital microfluidic electrodes arrays are printed, via a printing method such as inkjet printing, onto a suitable substrate. In some embodiments, a substrate and/or ink is prepared or modified to support the printing of electrode arrays, such as via changes to the surface energy. In some embodiments, porous and/or fibrous substrates are prepared by the addition of a barrier layer, or, for example, by the addition or infiltration of a suitable material to render the surface capable of supporting printed electrodes. Various example embodiments involving hybrid devices formed by the printing of digital microfluidic arrays onto a substrate having a hydrophilic layer are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for estimating a parameter of interest of a downhole fluid. Methods may include using at least two solid acoustic transmission media, including a first media and a second media having different acoustic impedances and each having a corresponding face immersed in the downhole fluid. Methods may include using a reflection of an acoustic pulse from a solid-liquid interface at the corresponding face of the first media and the second media to estimate the parameter of interest. The sound speed and the acoustic impedance of the first media and the sound speed and the acoustic impedance of the second media may each be different than a sound speed and an acoustic impedance of the fluid and each other. The parameter of interest may be estimated independently of a time of flight in the downhole fluid of any acoustic pulses.

Abstract: One aspect of a process of inspecting a joint that connects two parts includes directing an ultrasonic beam from an ultrasonic beam transmitter at a joint that connects two parts, the ultrasonic beam forming an angle between at least 14 degrees and at most 21 degrees with a joint axis of the joint, wherein the ultrasonic beam passes through a joint thickness of the joint. The process also includes determining a quality of the joint based, in part, on a difference between a strength of the ultrasonic beam directed at the joint and a strength of a portion of the ultrasonic beam that passed through the joint thickness.

Abstract: A system for automated bond testing includes a sensor that scans a material to be tested; a computer for comparing a reflected signal waveform to a plurality of signal waveforms indicating a defect in the material, and assigning a unique color to the match; a display that displays an image of the material having an assigned one of the plurality of colors indicative of a presence or absence of a defect in the test area; and an automated scanning platform that supports the sensor, the scanning platform moving the sensor in a preset motion over a surface of a test area of the material to be tested to perform an inspection scan of the material at the test area, and that positions the sensor at a predetermined position, a predetermined angle, and a predetermined contact force to acquire data consistently during an inspection.

Abstract: An object information acquisition apparatus includes: a plurality of acoustic wave detecting elements configured to detect an photoacoustic wave generated when an object is irradiated with light and output time-series detection signals; a member disposed outside the object; and a signal processing unit configured to acquire optical property information inside the object by performing image reconstruction through iterative reconstruction method in accordance with the time-series detection signals and an operand for which a response of the photoacoustic wave deriving from the member has been considered.

Abstract: A method for detecting defects in an object of interest comprises applying an ultrasonic signal including a tone burst having a predetermined frequency and number of cycles into an object of interest, receiving a return signal reflected from the object of interest, and processing the return signal to detect defects in at least one inner material. The object may have an outer material and the at least one inner material that have different acoustic impedances. An ultrasonic sensor system includes an ultrasonic sensor configured to generate an ultrasonic signal having a tone burst at a predetermined frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency of an outer material of an object of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for testing an acoustic probe having a series of transducer elements adapted to convert between acoustic and electrical signals is provided. The system comprises an acoustic signal generator and a receiver. The acoustic signal generator sends an acoustic signal into at least one of the series of transducer elements of the acoustic probe. An electrical transducer signal generated in response to receipt of the acoustic signal at the selected transducer element. The receiver has a switch to receive the electrical transducer signal from each selected transducer element of the acoustic probe. A display provides an illustration indicative of an operative ability of the selected transducer element of the acoustic probe to convert between acoustic and electrical signals.

Abstract: A homologous series of neutrally charged compounds having at least one functional group bearing a positive charge and at least one functional group bearing a negative charge are advantageous retention index standards for liquid chromatography, especially for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods, more especially for LC-MS methods employing electrospray (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) ionization systems.

Abstract: Provided is a plate-type column which allows the temperature of its inner passage to be rapidly increased or decreased while ensuring the correctness of an analysis or other operations. A plate-type column 10 includes: a plate-shaped main body 11; projecting portions 12 and 13 protruding from a circumferential edge of the main body 11; and a fluid-flow passage 14 extending in the main body 11 and the projecting portions 12 and 13. An intermediate portion of the passage 14 is provided in the main body 11, while each of the end portions of the passage 14 extends from the main body 11 through the projecting portion 12 or 13, with each of the end portions being open to the outside at the tip of the projecting portion 12 or 13.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting deterioration of an NOx selective reduction catalyst in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine with improved accuracy, includes an NOx purification rate calculation unit for calculating the NOx purification rate in the NOx selective reduction catalyst based on the NOx concentration in the exhaust gas flowing into and out of the NOx selective reduction catalyst. A determination as to whether the NOx selective reduction catalyst is deteriorated is made based on the NOx purification rate at a time when the temperature of the NOx selective reduction catalyst is equal to or higher than a temperature (Tc0) at which the NOx purification rate will start to decrease with a rise in the temperature of the NOx selective reduction catalyst if the degree of deterioration of the NOx selective reduction catalyst is at the upper limit of an allowable range.

Abstract: The invention provides use of one or more emitted beams of radiation (16), for example, laser beam(s), in combination with an image capturing means (14), for example, one or more video cameras and/or optical elements to detect particles (30), for example, smoke particles, located in an open space (12).

Abstract: Exhaust after treatment systems for internal combustion engine powered vehicles are provided. One system includes logic in the form of one or more routines implemented by one or more of the system's components for determining the quantity of NO2 present in the exhaust that exits an oxidation catalyst, such as a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), without the use of an NO2 sensor. Results from such a determination may then be used to estimate the amount of soot present in the particulate filter. This estimated value of soot present in the particulate filter can then be subsequently used to determine when the particulate filter should be actively regenerated.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15), NOx storage catalyst (13), particulate filter (14), and electric resistance type sensor (29) are arranged in an engine exhaust passage in this order from an upstream side. The electric resistance type sensor (29) generates an output value corresponding to the amounts of deposition of particulate matter and hydrocarbons which are contained in the exhaust gas and deposited at the sensor part thereof. From the change of the output value of the electric resistance type sensor (29), it is judged if the hydrocarbons have slipped through the NOx storage catalyst (13) and if the particulate matter has slipped through the particulate filter (14).

Abstract: In a vibration information detection step, a probe is inserted into a food sample, and any one of the displacement, the velocity or the acceleration of a vibration occurring on the probe by the insertion is detected as vibration information (step S1). In a frequency band dividing step, the vibration information is divided by a band pass filter into individual pieces of vibration information in each of a plurality of frequency bands (step S2). In a food texture index calculation step, a food texture index value based on vibrational energy per unit time in each of the frequency bands is calculated using a computer from the vibration information in each of the frequency bands and the center frequency of the corresponding frequency band (step S3).

Abstract: A method of hydraulic fracturing, and tracer composites for use in the fracturing procedure, for tracing the production of crude oil or other hydrocarbon liquid products from one or more fractured zones. The tracer composites preferably include an oil soluble tracer adsorbed onto a solid carrier material. A non-water soluble coating is preferable also included on the composite over the tracer compound.

Abstract: A device and method for particle separation. The device includes at least one collimated light source operable to generate at least one collimated light source beam. The device further includes a first channel in a first plane and a focused particle stream nozzle operably connected to the first channel. The device further includes a second channel in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane. The second channel communicates with the first channel. The second channel comprises a second channel cross-section. The second channel is oriented to receive the collimated light source beam. The device further includes a third channel in a third plane orthogonal to the second plane. The third channel communicates with the second channel. The collimated light source beam is oriented to enter a cross-section of the first channel, then to pass through the second channel, and then to enter a cross-section of the third channel.

Abstract: A cytological analysis test for 3D cell classification from a specimen. The method includes isolating and preserving a cell from the specimen and enriching the cell before embedding the enriched cell into an optical medium. The embedded cell is injected into a capillary tube where pressure is applied until the cell appears in a field of view of a pseudo-projection viewing subsystem to acquire a pseudo-projection image. The capillary tube rotates about a tube axis to provide a set of pseudo-projection images for each embedded cell which are reconstructed to produce a set of 3D cell reconstructions. Reference cells are classified and enumerated and a second cell classifier detects target cells. An adequacy classifier compares the number of reference cells against a threshold value of enumerated reference cells to determine specimen adequacy.

Abstract: A liquid mixture, comprising a) at least one compound selected from polyols, polyol ethers wherein at least one hydroxyl group is unetherified, or polyalkylene ethers wherein at least one terminal hydroxyl group is unetherified, b) 1,3-bis(caprolactam-1-yl) butane, and c) diacetoxybutane mimics the solubility properties of a graft copolymer comprising a poly(alkylene glycol) backbone and a vinyl acetate/N-vinylcaprolactam copolymer grafted onto the backbone. In a method for evaluating the compatibility of a biologically active substance with the graft copolymer i) the biologically active sub-stance is brought into contact with the liquid mixture, and ii) the phase behavior of the test system and/or the solubility of the biologically active substance in the mixture is determined.

Abstract: Methods are described for measuring the amount of C peptide in a sample. More specifically, mass spectrometric methods are described for detecting and quantifying C peptide in a sample utilizing on-line extraction methods coupled with tandem mass spectrometric or high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometric techniques. The present invention provides methods for detecting the presence or amount of C peptide in a sample by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to optical methods for the diagnosis of neuronal condition by converting a cell from a patient into a neuron and optically evaluating action potentials of that cell in vitro. The cell is transformed with an optical reporter and exhibits an optical signature in response to neural stimulation. Using genome-editing, a control cell can be made that is isogenic but-for a known mutation and a control signature obtained from the control cell. Thus, methods of the invention reveal potential neurodegenerative effects of a mutation as manifested in a patient's genetic context. The optical signature of the cell, or the difference between the signature and the control signature, is correlated to a diagnosis of the neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an automatic analyzer for determining more accurately the concentration of lipids and other interfering substances in body fluids, particularly of interfering substances such as bilirubin and hemoglobin in blood serum and blood plasma samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new apparatus/system for determining fertility of mammalian sperm based on a specific sperm-binding test that mimics sperm binding to an egg. The inventive apparatus/system comprises surface-modified beads with a compound or conjugates containing a carbohydrate sequence associated with the mammalian zona-pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins.

Abstract: The present application discloses an analyte detection apparatus having at least one reservoir area and a wicking membrane, wherein a labeled specific binding partner is impregnated on the reservoir area; and a region on the wicking membrane where at least one chemical component is immobilized.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for detecting target molecules using an optical sensor element including a photonic crystal constituted by a membrane of a chosen transparent material, being provided with a number of defined openings in a chosen pattern, a chosen number of the openings providing capture molecules having a high affinity to target molecules, the pattern being adapted to provide resonance at a chosen wavelength, or range of wavelengths. The system and method also moving a first fluid flow containing target molecules through the openings and after this conducting a second fluid flow containing a second reactant being different from the capture molecules but having a high affinity for the target molecules but a low affinity for other possible molecules in the first flow. By illuminating the sensor element at a chosen wavelength thus obtaining a resonance and imaging means for providing an image of the sensor element it is possible to detect tight leaking from the resonator.

Abstract: A molecular recognition matrix which utilizes the interaction between molecular building blocks and the surface of a substrate to develop specific molecular recognition cavities.

Abstract: In one non-limiting aspect, the invention provides a method for detecting the quality of a biological molecule comprising forming a first mixture of ingredients comprising: (i) a first binding agent that specifically binds to a tag, wherein the first binding agent is attached to a solid support; (ii) a decoy comprising a first portion comprising the tag attached to a second portion comprising an anchor; (iii) a sensor attached to a second binding agent that specifically binds to the anchor; and (iv) a sample suspected of containing a high quality biological molecule comprising a tag, wherein the tag of the high quality biological molecule is accessible; allowing interaction of the ingredients such that the sensor provides an output signal.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for the detection of an analyte in a sample. The mechanisms utilize at least a first measurement channel comprising a detection reactant corresponding to the analyte to be detected, and at least a microstructure associated with the first measurement channel. When the mechanisms are in use, the sample is introduced into the first measurement channel and propagated by way of the first measurement channel towards the microstructure. If the analyte is present in the sample, the analyte interacts with the detection reactant to form a networked product, and the microstructure is configured to filter the networked product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of cardiovascular fibrosis. In particular, the present invention relates to an inhibitor of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) activity or expression for use in a method for treating or preventing cardiovascular fibrosis in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Phosphorylation of histones was observed at certain tyrosine residues which have not been associated with epigenetic modification. These sites include H2B Tyr37, H4 Tyr88 and Tyr 51 and H3 Tyr99. Kinases responsible for the phosphorylation as well as downstream genes regulated by such phosphorylation were also identified. Antibodies that are specific to such phosphorylated histones have been generated, which are useful for detecting the phosphorylation and related events. With such findings, the present disclosure provides compositions and methods for disease diagnosis, prognosis and therapy selection, in particular for cancer, obesity and diabetes.