Abstract: A predictive diagnostics system for monitoring mechanical seals. The system autonomously detects a loss of lubrication within a sliding seal interface of a mechanical seal, the system including a loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to monitor data sensed by one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface, and a plurality of other failure mode logic modules configured to monitor data sensed by the one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to specific types of mechanical failures known to occur in mechanical seal systems, the loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to determine which of the plurality of other failure mode logic modules are activated during the diagnosis of conditions related to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface.

Abstract: A system for displaying an area covered in a non-destructive scan of an area larger than the test probe is disclosed. Position encoders are included on the test probe to track the motion of the probe and to provide a record of the portion of the area under test that has been covered by the probe.

Abstract: Provided is a structural health monitoring system of a rotating object such as a turbine blade, which gives easy and intuitive information to field managers on the damage location and the damage size of the rotating object by computing and visualizing correlations between damage and propagating ultrasonic wave. The structural health monitoring system for a rotating object comprises an ultrasonic generation system which generates an ultrasonic signal by irradiating a pulse laser beam to a point of the rotating object, a pulse laser control system which adjusts the irradiating time of the pulse laser beam, an ultrasonic measurement system which measures a generated ultrasonic signal at a point of the rotating object away from the point irradiated by the pulse laser beam and a damage detection system which provides information of damage existence, damage location and damage severity by visualization of monitored ultrasonic signals.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of detecting failures or anomalies of a large number of sensor terminals without using manpower or expensive equipment in the seismic exploration business. The method includes preparing a plurality of sensor terminals having sensors that detect vibrations from outside, the plurality of sensor terminals receiving the vibrations and outputting vibration reception signals, and comparing a first vibration reception signal output by a first sensor terminal with a second vibration reception signal output by a second sensor terminal, thereby detecting if one of the first sensor and the second sensor is failed or anomalous.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for dynamic fractionation of a dispersed phase in a fluid. The device comprises a fractionation channel and from a first to a third injection ports. A first and a second confining fluids are injectable through the first and second injection ports, respectively. An elution fluid for transporting the dispersed phase is injectable into the channel through a third injection port which is arranged between the first and second injection ports. An end portion of the channel comprises from a first to a third terminal portion respectively arranged in correspondence to the first to the third injection ports and having a geometry such that the first and second confining fluids respectively have a first and second predefined flow rate and the elution fluid have a third predefined flow rate which is larger than the first and second predefined flow rates.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems for separating chemical compounds via two-dimensional gas chromatography. Certain embodiments of the system are configured to rapidly heat and cool the second dimension column by a unique arrangement of heating and cooling elements.

Abstract: A gas chromatography system can include a circulatory loop, a gas inlet positioned along the circulatory loop, a gas outlet positioned along the circulatory loop, a micro column positioned in line with the circulatory loop, and an in-line population sensor positioned in line with the circulatory loop. The in-line population sensor can be configured to detect changes in gas population. The gas inlet and gas outlet can be associated with a gas inlet valve and gas outlet valve, and configured to admit or withdraw gas from the circulatory loop, respectively. A gas sample can be circulated through the circulatory loop for at least one cycle, and a component of the gas sample can be detected using the in-line population sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrahigh-sensitivity two-dimensional chromatography-based biosensor, wherein cross-flow of high driving force across a narrow membrane is applied, thereby enabling the elimination of background noise, efficient supply of a large-sized polymeric or high-molecular-weight signal tracer, sequential material supply for increased reactivity, and simultaneous washing and signal generation when additional signal generation is required, as in an enzyme.

Abstract: A mobile device includes an opening defining a fluid connection between a fluid channel in the mobile device and ambient air, and a sensor arranged in the fluid channel, configured to sense at least one component of the ambient air. The mobile device further includes a micropump configured to draw in the ambient air through the opening and to convey the same to the sensor. According to the invention, the sensor is arranged spaced apart from the opening, and the volume of the fluid channel between the sensor and the opening is less than 200 microliters.

Abstract: A battery-powered, wireless gas sensing unit for measuring a gas concentration, the gas sensing unit comprising a first sensor, a second sensor, a battery unit, a wireless transmitter, a processor and a controller. The first sensor is adapted to frequently measure a value of a first parameter. The second sensor and the processor are controlled to measure the gas concentration only when the value of the first parameter or variation of the value of the first parameter exceeds a predefined first parameter threshold. The wireless transmitter is controlled to transmit the gas concentration only when the gas concentration exceeds a predefined concentration threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit for detecting the presence of a fluid, said kit comprising a portable device for sensing a fluid and communicating the presence of said fluid to a user, and a fluid permeable case comprising at least one internal cavity, wherein said at least one internal cavity is arranged to accommodate and releasably hold said portable device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for determining the fractions of a flowing gaseous medium that comprises a known plurality N of known components. The method comprises the steps for determining at least N?1 parameters of a flowing gaseous medium. The N?1 parameters are chosen from a group of quantities comprising mass flow, density, viscosity, and heat capacity. At least N?1 reference values are provided for each of the known N components relating to each of the determined N?1 quantities. The fraction of each of the known components of the supplied gaseous medium is determined through solving of at least N equations. The N equations comprise N?1 equations which describe each determined parameter as a function of the fraction and the reference values, plus an equation that sets the sum of the fractions so as to be equal to 100%.

Abstract: A method for detecting a volatile analyte to class and sort cork stoppers depending on concentration of the analyte, detection being performed of concentrations in the order of ng/L (parts per trillion), in a concentrated gas applied to the cork stoppers in closed containment. Under said method, cork stoppers are conveyed individually or groups to an incubation chamber (1); air/nitrogen is injected into the incubation chamber (1), the gas enriched with cork volatile compounds is entrained and carried to the concentration system containing a trap (4) heated by desorption of volatile compounds; the volatile compounds are carried by entraining gas to a detection system (6) recording a signal associated with presence of the analyte, the signal being used for classing the stopper/groups of stoppers; a software receives and compares the signal with a minimum limit, deciding to approve or reject the stopper. A system for implementing this method is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quality control marker and method of using such marker in qualitative and quantitative authentication of Cordyceps sinensis, which is known as a Chinese medicine under the name of Dongchong Xiacao .

Abstract: A method may comprise: exposing a substituted chromone dissolved in a solvent to a sample; taking a fluorescence measurement of the sample after exposure to the substituted chromone; and determining a presence or absence of one or more ions in the sample, a concentration of the one or more ions in the sample, or both based on the fluorescence measurement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the detection and adsorption of arsenic from ground water and industrial waste water using lanthanide doped nanoparticles. More particularly, the present invention provides a process for the detection and adsorption arsenic in ppm level using Eu0.05Y0.95PO4 nanoparticles.

Abstract: A novel substrate-bound DNAzyme complex is provided comprising a DNAzyme bound to a nucleic acid-based substrate. The DNAzyme comprises a pair of binding arms which hybridize to binding regions on the substrate, and a catalytic domain between the binding arms. The nucleic acid-based substrate comprises a phosphorothioate-modified ribonucleotide cleavage site between the binding regions of the substrate. The catalytic domain of the DNAzyme catalyzes heavy metal-dependent cleavage of the substrate cleavage site. The DNAzyme complex is useful in a method of heavy metal sensing. A novel cadmium-selective DNAzyme is also described for cadmium sensing.

Abstract: Methods of ranking formation stabilizer performance are described. The methods include obtaining drill cuttings from a subterranean formation, grinding and sieving the drill cuttings to a particle size larger than 200 mesh, adding a formation stabilizer solution to the ground and sieved drill cuttings to form a mixture, agitating the mixture, and measuring turbidity of the agitated mixture.

Abstract: A system and method for objective and real-time measurable indicator for calculating distribution uniformity of water, salinity, conductivity, or temperature in turf are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and method may be directed to collecting turf condition data using a compact, portable turf analysis device having one or more sensors and Global Positioning System (GPS) module configured to collect location data to a server database. The server assimilates the turf condition data and location data into the server database to determine distribution uniformity of measurements and to calculate turf performance indicators of the turf conditions in a plurality of locations to determine turf performance, turf stress, and turf management best practices. By tracking and analyzing the turf condition data for one or more turf locations as well as location data, the turf quality is objectively measured and managed.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, contained in a reservoir, comprises no more than a specified maximum permissible amount of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) for the fuel to be accepted as being suitable for use in a specified engine.

Abstract: A test strip for determining the concentration of a component in a liquid composition is disclosed. The test strip comprises a carrier sheet coated with a layer of an adsorbent, and a chemical dye deposited on the test strip near but spaced apart from a bottom edge of the test strip. In some embodiments, the test strip is a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plate, and the retention factor of the chemical dye varies according to the concentration of the component in the liquid composition. A user can determine the concentration of the component based on the migration distance of the chemical dye on the test strip in a chromatography process. The test strip can be used to perform a fast and visual test to determine the ethanol content in a fuel sample.

Abstract: A Neural Circuit Probe (NCP) combines a multi-electrode array (MEA) with an automated local probe, wherein the probe is positioned to interact with one or more cells, such as neurons of a neural circuit, grown on or about one or more electrodes of the multi-electrode array. The probe may interact with the cells by electrically recording signals from the multi-electrode array that are assigned to a specific one of the cells. The probe may interact with the cells by locally delivering chemicals to the cells, which transiently and reversibly modulate the electrical behavior of the cells. The probe may interact with the cells by harvesting the cells using a pipette, so that the harvested cells can be sequenced.

Abstract: A plasma separation system and process for providing filtered plasma from a blood sample is described. The system may include a blood separation well having a separation membrane for filtering the blood sample. The filtering process may be aided by the use of a negative or positive pressure source attached to the plasma separation system.

Abstract: A collector-analyzer apparatus for urine has a urine collecting tube joined with a urine receiving canister. Suction is produced in the collecting tube to join the tube with a penis or to the exterior surface of a female urethra orifice. Once suction is achieved the collecting tube stays in place by suction action. When urine flows into the urine collecting tube a sensor triggers a vacuum pump to produce a higher level of suction to flush the urine into the canister where a level sensor determines the quantity of urine received or resident within the canister. Various sensors in the canister determine levels of non-urine partials such as occult blood, drugs, salt, and other substances. When urine is no longer detected within the urine tube, the vacuum pump is turned off and a low-level vacuum remains to assure interconnection between the urine tube and the urethra.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of determining the tolerogenic potential of a therapeutic agent comprising determining the ability of the therapeutic agent to increase the expression of tolerogenic markers, e.g., PD-L1 , by antigen presenting cells such as monocytes, macrophages, B cells and dendritic cells.

Abstract: A method for the identification of compounds modulating the biological activity of FGF2, the method comprising the use of target cells sensitive to the presence of FGF2 by obstructing proliferation, wherein the target cells constitutively express a first reporter in the nucleus of living target cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the diagnosis of cancer involving the plasma membrane citrate transporter (pmCiC). The invention is further directed to a modified substrate or modulator of pmCiC, the use of pmCiC as a tumor marker and a method of screening for a modulator of pmCiC activity.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of sensor devices contained in a plurality of wells contained in a well-plate assembly. The sensor devices are used in a plurality of oscillators. Each oscillator generates a frequency and a resistance based on a quality of living biological cells contained in a corresponding well. The quality may include, for example, surface coupled mass, density, viscosity, and/or viscoelasticity of the living biological cells. The system also includes logic for measuring a resonant frequency and motional resistance associated with each sensor device and logic for processing the measured resonant frequency and motional resistance. Moreover, the system includes logic for displaying one or more graphs showing one or more characteristics of the living biological cells contained in the wells.

Abstract: The invention discloses a screening method for the identification of new compounds for use in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A method of screening for compounds that module expression of specific macromolecules, the “target”. The method is particularly useful in that it does not require separation of target-bound and excess ligand and therefore enables, but is not limited to, High Throughput Screening for compounds that increase or decrease the levels or amounts of a target present in a biological sample. The method can also be used for high-throughput diagnosis of a condition leading to an increase or decrease of a cellular macromolecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the relief of the skin surface of a subject, and hence the degree of maturation of the said skin surface. Methods for identifying active agents, raw materials and formulation are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for identifying a compound that modulates activity of an iRhom polypeptide according to aspects of the present invention are described herein which include contacting a cell expressing an iRhom polypeptide with a test compound; and determining the effect of the compound on activity of the iRhom polypeptide. Detection of a decrease in proteolytic activity of the iRhom polypeptide indicates that the compound is capable of one or more of: reducing tumor growth, reducing tumor progression, treatment of cancer and promoting hair growth in a subject, and detecting an increase in proteolytic activity of the iRhom polypeptide indicates that the compound is capable of accelerating wound healing in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the risk of drug induced arrhythmia using stem cell derived cardiomyocytes in a high-throughput impedance or multi-electrode array assay.

Abstract: The invention is in the domain of delivery of molecules to brain cells across the blood-brain barrier. The invention relates to a novel polypeptide-based carrier that allows the efficient delivery of an effector peptide, to neuron cells across the blood-brain barrier, and to methods for the production and testing of such carrier, including a model for testing the capacity of such molecule to cross the blood-brain barrier and/or the toxicity of molecules on the blood brain barrier and/or the capacity of molecules that have crossed to target human brain cells (e/g. neurons, astrocytes and microglial cells).

Abstract: The invention relates to biomarkers of the skin of children and, in particular, that of infants, having altered expression in the presence of urine. Such markers are particularly advantageous as they allow the skin's response to urine to be monitored. The inventors have developed methods for evaluating the efficacy in vitro of formulations in preventing the harmful effects of urine on a child's skin, using a skin model specifically capable of reproducing the characteristics of children's skin.

Abstract: A test animal for identifying blood vessel transendothelial migration-affecting factors or agents is described. The test animal comprises an implanted tissue mimicking model with a composite vascular structure comprising pericytes on test animal vasculature. The test animal can be used in a method of identifying or evaluating a blood vessel transendothelial migration-affecting agent that includes administering the agent to a test animal and determining the effect of the agent on the level of blood vessel transendothelial migration into or out of the tissue model. The test animal can also be used in a method of identifying or characterizing a metastasis-facilitating factor that includes administering or inducing circulating tumor cells in a test animal in which one or more factors in the pericyte have been silenced, and determining if the level of tumor cell migration into the tissue model has increased or decreased.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro blood vessel model for investigation of drug induced vascular injury and other vascular pathologies. The in vitro blood vessel model provides two channels separated by a porous membrane that is coated on one side by an endothelial cell layer and is coated on the other side by a smooth muscle cell layer, wherein said model is susceptible to the extravasation of red blood cells across said porous membrane due to drug induced vascular injury.

Abstract: Provided is a method for control and/or monitoring and/or optimization of a chromatographic process, in which the method comprises at least 2 columns which are operated, alternatingly, wherein this operation can be carried out in that the at least 2 columns are operated in interconnected and disconnected states, wherein the columns switch positions after such a sequence of interconnected and disconnected state, and wherein downstream of at least one, or of each column, a detector is located capable of detecting the desired product and/or impurities when passing the detector.

Abstract: A DNA ligand capable of structural changes upon binding to a target is used as a molecular switch with a SPFS (surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy) biosensor to realize one-step SPFS biosensing with rapid turnaround time. The SPFS biosensor has a thin metal film on a prism; when a light of a certain wavelength irradiates on the prism at a certain angle, a strong electrical field is generated at the surface of the metal film. The DNA is immobilized on the metal film surface with its free terminal modified with a fluorescent marker. Without the target, the DNA is folded and the fluorescent marker is located in the region of metal quenching near the metal surface. Upon binding to the target, the DNA is extended and the fluorescent marker is located in the region of enhanced electric field near the metal surface and emits a strong fluorescent signal.

Abstract: A composition for enzyme immunoassay using immunofluorescence comprises (i) a fluorogenic enzymatic substrate and (ii) a quenched fluorogenic compound that forms a fluorescent compound after hydrolysis of the fluorogenic enzymatic substrate. The composition may be useful for performing a method for in vitro detection and/or quantification of an analyte of a liquid test sample liable to contain the analyte.

Abstract: The specification provides an assay electrode including a composite containing a matrix and a multiplicity of graphene particles dispersed therein.

Abstract: An electrochemically active device for collecting and retaining a biological sample with a bioanalyte, the device provided with at least a two-electrode member and an albumin-binding and an electrochemically active receptor in chemical contact with the two-electrode members and the biological sample. The present invention also provides a point-of-care biosensor with the device of the present invention and a method for measuring a bioanalyte in a biological sample. The device, point-of-care biosensor and the method of the present invention facilitate accurate measurements concentrations of urine albumin, human serum albumin (HSA), glycated albumin (GA) and methemalbumin (MHA) by determining redox current values in reduced volumes of biological samples.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a chemical sensor capable of detecting light emitted from a detection target object efficiently, a method of producing the chemical sensor, and a chemical detection apparatus. [Solving Means] A chemical sensor according to the present technology includes a substrate and a lens layer. On the substrate, at least one light detection unit is formed. The lens layer is laminated on the substrate and has optical transparency, and a lens structure is formed on a surface of the lens layer opposite to the substrate in a concave shape toward a lamination direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the immobilization of biomolecules containing at least one sulfhydryl group, which method comprises contacting a modified metal surface with the biomolecule irradiating the resulting surface with UV radiation in the presence of a photo-initiator, wherein said metal surface is modified with a cross-linker compound comprising a terminal thiol or dithiol group covalently linked to the metal surface, a spacer group, which at the other terminal end is carrying an isolated double or triple bond.

Abstract: The present invention provides an Analyzer adapted to receive an immunoassay cartridge comprising an imaging module including a two-dimensional light sensor and a plurality of light sources. The light sources and the two-dimensional light sensor are arranged such that the light sources are adapted to illuminate a result display section and a graphical code of the immunoassay cartridge and the two-dimensional light sensor is adapted to acquire images of both the graphical code and the result display section. The analyzer comprises an oscillator portion being adapted to cause the immunoassay cartridge to perform oscillations at a pre-set oscillation frequency. The analyzer comprises a processing section adapted to process an image of the graphical code acquired by the two-dimensional sensor to determine the pre-set oscillation frequency. The analyzer comprises a controller adapted to control the oscillator portion to cause the immunoassay cartridge to oscillate at the pre-set oscillation frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to uniform nanostructure biosensors and methods of calibrating the response of nanostructure biosensors. The invention overcomes device to device variability that has made quantitative detection difficult. The described biosensors have uniform characteristics that allow for more reliable comparison across devices. The methods of the invention comprise normalizing the initial current rate, as measured by the nanostructure biosensor following the addition of an analyte, to device characteristics of the biosensor. The device characteristics of the biosensor which can be used to normalize the response include baseline current and transconductance, Calibration of responses allows for the generation of calibration curves for use in all devices to quantitatively detect an analyte, without the need for individual device calibration.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for establishing a solvent correction curve as well as using the curve for obtaining a corrected sensorgram or corrected report points from a sensorgram of an analyte. In another embodiment, the present invention provides an analytical system for studying molecular interactions, which comprises computer processing means including program code means for performing the steps of the methods. Also provided is a computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium or carried on an electrical or optical signal for performing the steps of the methods.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for imaging and scanning Western or immunoblots are disclosed herewith.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay device that is defined by multiple loading zones, wherein a sample pad is located before and upstream from a conjugate pad and another sample pad is located after and downstream from the conjugate pad. This configuration allows for increased sensitivity for detecting an analyte in a specimen. The device may employ multiple collection pads or a single collection pad and the collection pads may be engaged with the sample pads in several manners, including but not limited to, pressing down on a cassette with collection pads onto a cassette with the test strips, or by sliding the collection pads along the cassette with the test strips and sample pads.

Abstract: The invention relates to biosensors for detecting odorants, especially a biosensor that mimics odorant detection by a mammal, for example, humans, dogs or cats. The field of the invention also related to the standardization of odors for scent, smell and taste using the biosensor of the invention, and the discovery of agonists, antagonists, and mixtures of odorants for creating new odors, masking odors, enhancing odors, and designing odors.