Abstract: An apparatus with time controlled color change indication comprises an apparatus includes a disposable, limited or restricted use product and an oxygen sensing color changeable dye disposed on a portion of the apparatus, the dye being translucent or having a first color upon application and for a defined time thereafter and the dye changing color after exposure to oxygen for the defined time. For example, a packaging for containing a product for human consumption has a portion with a color changeable dye disposed thereon. The dye changes color after being exposed to oxygen for a controlled and predetermined period of time indicating that the product for human consumption should no longer be consume or has decreased in freshness, quality of taste or potency.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine is provided. The method includes determining a temperature and a pressure of intake air, and a temperature and a pressure of exhaust generated by the engine. The method includes determining a work performed by the engine based at least on an engine speed of the engine, and determining heating losses of the engine. The method includes determining an enthalpy of the intake air based at least on the work, the heating losses, a heating value of a fuel used for combustion within the engine, and the temperature and the pressure of the exhaust. The method includes determining a humidity value of the intake air based on the enthalpy, temperature and pressure of the intake air and determining an amount of NOx based on the humidity value. The method further includes controlling an operation of the engine based on the determined amount of NOx.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to determine that a cannabis plant has been cultivated under desired cultivation conditions. Quantitative processes are disclosed, based on stable carbon isotope ratio analysis, and using modeling constraints and Bayesian approaches to produce a likelihood that a cannabis plant was cultivated under desired conditions (e.g., indoors), and provide a quantitative estimate of the average CO2 concentration in the growth environment.

Abstract: A method, a program, and a device for evaluating food preference of pets that do not require humans to eat a pet food itself. The preference of pets can be evaluated by conducting sensory analysis on selected palatants contained in a pet food by humans. Accordingly, highly precise prediction of the preference can be made by a simple and intuitive method based on sensory attributes for human. Further, humans are not required to eat a pet food itself because the humans may conduct sensory analysis on selected palatants contained in the pet food.

Abstract: In one embodiment, authentication of a beverage is performed by forming an airtight seal with a bottle that contains the beverage, the bottle being sealed with a closure, applying a vacuum to the bottle to draw a sample from the closure that includes traces of the beverage, collecting the sample over time as the vacuum is applied to the closure, and performing testing on the collected sample.

Abstract: Methods of maintaining accuracy in the measurement of one or more parameters of industrial water in industrial water systems is disclosed. The methods comprise the use of physical and chemical means to prevent and/or remove deposition from one or more surfaces utilized in measurement of the one or more parameters. The deposition may be caused by, for example, corrosion, fouling, or microbiological growth.

Abstract: A concentration detecting section detects a concentration of urea water and outputs the detected value. A determining section determines whether the urea water is suitable by using the detected value. A temperature detecting section detects temperatures of detection targets. The detection targets have temperatures that are different from one another during operation of an engine. The determining section is adapted to calculate a temperature difference between temperatures of a particular detection target and another detection target and start determining whether the urea water is suitable when a determination start condition including that the temperature difference is within a reference range is satisfied. The reference range is defined as a range of temperature differences in which it is determined that the urea water is in a quiescent state, which is suitable for the determination.

Abstract: A drifting buoy sampler system for a stormwater discharge plume formed from stormwater discharged into coastal waters. The system compresan electronics sampling pod for collecting integrated water samples within the stormwater plume as the buoy system drifts with the stormwater plume near the water surface as the plume travels out to sea. The pod includes a watertight section including a GPS/radio module for providing GPS (geo-position) location information and a processor for monitoring and controlling the sampling rate, a pump module and a battery module; a passive sampler bag for collecting the integrated water samples; a free flooding section including a composite sample bag module such that the pump module pumps collected samples from the passive sampler bag to the composite sample bag module at a predetermined sampling rate and a ballast module for providing ballast to the system when drifting within the plume.

Abstract: Proper soil compaction is critical to providing structural support in any geo-construction project, particularly road construction. Described herein are devices, methods, and systems for intelligent soil compaction. In some embodiments, these disclosed systems, methods, and devices can provide up to 100% coverage with mechanistic measurements through machine integrated devices. These novel in-situ material characterization devices and methodologies enable continuous, mechanistic monitoring of soil compaction for use with a variety of geo-construction devices, including static pad foot soil compactors. In one embodiment, a strain gage instrumented pad is integrated into a pad foot soil compactor, and contact force is measured instrumented pad that is sensitive to soil compaction. In other embodiments, the disclosed device may allow for mechanistic measurements that may use a simplified geometry, and numerical and analytical modeling.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for measuring a property of an sample, the apparatus can manipulate, detect, and analyze the sample composed of single molecules, single small particles or single small samples of matter by drawing the sample into a nanofluidic channel and stretching the sample within the channel, passing the stretched sample through a gap having a width of less than or equal to 20 nm of a nanogap detector positioned inside or adjacent to the nanofluidic channel and measuring an output from the nanogap detector representative of the property of the sample.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions, devices, and methods for analyzing a polymer and/or polymer unit. The polymer may be a homo or hetero-polymer such as DNA, RNA, a polysaccharide, or a peptide. The device includes electrodes that form a tunnel gap through which the polymer can pass. The electrodes are functionalized with a reagent attached thereto, and the reagent is capable of forming a transient bond to a polymer unit. When the transient bond forms between the reagent and the unit, a detectable signal is generated and used to analyze the polymer.

Abstract: A breath test simulator includes a jar holding an ethyl alcohol/water solution. A heated metal top housing on the top of the jar supports a baffle plate extending over the solution. Ethyl alcohol/water vapor is flowed from the solution into a headspace between the baffle plate and the top housing. A rotary fan in the headspace circulates vapor in the headspace and moves the vapor against the housing to heat the vapor. The heated vapor is circulated and heats the jar to speed warm up of the simulator and assure the headspace vapor is maintained at a desired temperature prior to discharge to a breath test instrument to be calibrated.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems and methods for determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, biological state and the like. The methods typically involve using interferometry to observe membrane properties in a cell and then use this information to determine one or more characteristics of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening as well as diagnostic techniques.

Abstract: A method of evaluating an action includes (1) obtaining a first stem-cell data related to a subject before performing the action, (2) performing the action on the subject, (3) obtaining a second stem-cell data related to the subject after performing the action, and (4) identifying the effect of the action on the subject based on the first stem-cell data and the second stem-cell data. The subject may be a human or an animal. The action may be taking a drug or taking a nutrient or dietary supplement, which may include fucoidan. Each of the first and second stem-cell data may include the count of a type or types of stem cells and/or the percentage of the type or types of stem cells and may be obtained by the same method including counting cells using a cell counter or cell counting device such as flow cytometer.

Abstract: Provided is a process for creating a 3D metabolically active microtissue perfused with living microvessels which have a direct fluidic connection with neighboring microfluidic channels. The process comprises preparing a template comprising a plurality of channels, and creating a network within said channels, said network comprising microfluidic channels, metabolically active living microvessels, and microtissues. The microvessels can sprout from said microvessels and/or form within the microtissue in response to a stimulus applied from said microfluidic channels or stimulus derived from the said tissues. In another embodiment, a device is provided comprising a supportive structure, one or more microfluidic channels, one or more microtissue compartments, and one or more microvessels, whereby the microvessels connect said microfludic channels and microtissue and perfuse the microtissue to deliver fluid from the microfluidic channels to the microtissues.

Abstract: A urinalysis cassette and system that includes a toilet, into which a urinalysis cassette is inserted. The cassette is comprised of a roll of color-change-reagent strips. Each strip includes a plurality of strip sections wherein an absorbent material is imbued with color-change reagent, or onto which one or more color-change reagents are dispensed. The color-change-reagent strips are consecutive and contiguous on the roll. A cassette includes two spools arranged such that when the spools turn, the reagent strip moves from a first (source spool) to a second (waste spool). The section of the reagent strip that is between the two spools may be exposed to a urine specimen. The absorbent-material strips that have been exposed to both a urine specimen and a color-change reagent may undergo a chemical reaction. Selective-lighting illumination may be applied to absorbent-material strips that have undergone such chemical reactions to measure reflectivity of certain color wavelengths.

Abstract: A nanoagent includes at least one nanocomposite. The nanocomposite includes at least one gold nanorod, a silver layer coated on an outer surface of the gold nanorod, a Raman reporter molecule layer coated on the silver layer, a pegylated layer coated on the Raman reporter molecule layer, an active layer conjugated to the pegylated layer. the active layer includes at least one of a targeting molecule configured to bind to a target of interest, and a functional molecule configured to interact with the target of interest. The silver layer has silver nanoparticles. The Raman reporter molecule layer has Raman reporter molecules that are detectable by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The pegylated layer has at least one of thiolated polyethylene glycol (HS-PEG), thiolated polyethylene glycol acid (HS-PEG-COOH) and HS-PEG-NHx.

Abstract: Device for use in a biosensor comprising a multisite array of test sites, the device being useful for modulating the binding interactions between a (biomolecular) probe or detection agent and an analyte of interest from a biological by modulating the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor. The device provides a biosensor which is more accurate, reliable and the results of which are more reproducible. Analytic methods for more accurately measuring an analyte of interest in a biological sample are also provided.

Abstract: Dual-gate ion-sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) for disease diagnostics are disclosed herein. An exemplary dual-gate ISFET includes a gate structure and a fluidic gate structure disposed over opposite surfaces of a device substrate. The gate structure is disposed over a channel region defined between a source region and a drain region in the device substrate. The fluidic gate structure includes a sensing well that is disposed over the channel region. The sensing well includes a sensing layer and an electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution includes a constituent that can react with a product of an enzymatic reaction that occurs when an enzyme-modified detection mechanism detects an analyte. The sensing layer can react with a first ion generated from the enzymatic reaction and a second ion generated from a reaction between the product of the enzymatic reaction and the constituent, such that the dual-gate ISFET generates an enhanced electrical signal.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, reactions mixtures, mutant Ras proteins, kits, substrates, and systems for selecting a Ras antagonist, as well as methods of using the same.

Abstract: Methods for detecting colorectal cancer in a subject by detection of a galactose-containing 40 kDa molecule in a serum sample from the subject. Methods for quantifying the amount of a galactose-containing molecule in a serum sample are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of assessing, predicting or monitoring the sensitivity of a subject having a tumor or cancer to an immunotherapeutic molecule acting on the subject's T cells, to a method of selecting an appropriate treatment of cancer, to a method of screening or identifying a compound suitable for improving the treatment of a cancer, and to the use of corresponding kits. The method of predicting or monitoring the sensitivity of a subject having a tumor to an immunotherapeutic molecule acting on the subject's T cells typically comprises a step a) of determining, in a biological sample from said subject, the expression level of soluble CD25 (sCD25) and, when the expression level is determined, a step b) of comparing at least said expression level to a reference expression level, thereby assessing whether the subject having a tumor is responsive or resistant to the immunotherapeutic molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other aspects, stabilized chromophoric nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are rationally functionalized with a pre-determined number of functional groups. In certain embodiments, the stable chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are modified with a low density of functional groups. In yet other embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are conjugated to one or more molecules. Also provided herein are methods for making rationally functionalized chromophoric nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods for detection of the fully human antibodies infiltrated into a solid tissue, and to optimize methods for generating, selecting, and expanding monoclonal antibodies to large numbers for antibody-based therapy and diagnosis. The invention is exemplified in a number of implementations and applications, some of which are summarized below and throughout the specification. In one aspect, the invention is directed to methods for identifying potentially therapeutic fully human antibodies that have infiltrated a solid tissue comprising the following steps: (a) detecting and sorting into one or more subsets a sample of antibodies from an accessible tissue of an individual; (b) characterization of the fully human antibodies; (c) production and purification of the fully human antibody; (d) assessment of the therapeutic and diagnostic activity of fully human antibody.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to determining whether or not a pregnant mammal (e.g., a pregnant human) has preeclampsia. For example, methods and materials related to the use of urinary podocytes to determine whether or not a pregnant human has preeclampsia are provided.

Abstract: A method for characterizing the risk a subject will develop an autoimmune and/or alloimmune disease following tissue transplant includes obtaining a biological sample from the subject, wherein the subject has received the tissue transplant determining in the biological sample a level of at least one protein selected from Tables 1-4, comparing the measured level of the at least one protein to a control value, and characterizing a subject as at greater risk of developing an autoimmune disease and/or alloimmune disease if the level of at least one protein determined is increased or decreased compared to the control value.

Abstract: The invention relates to biomarkers associated with Diabetes, including protein and lipid metabolite biomarkers, methods of using the biomarkers to determine the risk that an individual will develop Diabetes, and methods of screening a population to identify persons at risk for developing Diabetes and other pre-diabetic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention identifies biomarkers that are diagnostic of nerve cell injury and/or neuronal disorders. Detection of different biomarkers of the invention are also diagnostic of the degree of severity of nerve injury, the cell(s) involved in the injury, and the subcellular localization of the injury.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for the identification of a subject suffering from a primary non-infectious disease having an increased risk of an adverse outcome potentially being induced by the administration of an antibiotic to said subject comprising the determination of the level of Procalcitonin (PCT) or a fragment thereof or a precursor or fragment thereof having a length of at least 12 amino acid residues in a sample of a bodily fluid from said subject and the correlation of the determined level to a potential risk induced by the administration of an antibiotic, as well as a kit for performing the method and methods of treatment based thereon.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides fluorogenic compounds useful for preparing fluorescent calcium ion indicators, the fluorescent indicators themselves, and the use of the fluorescent indicators in methods of detection, discrimination and quantification of metal ions. The subject fluorogenic compounds and fluorescent ion indicators can include a chelating group based on a 2-aminophenoxyethylene glycol 2-aminoethyl ether, N,N,N?,N?-tetraacetic acid (PEGTA) moiety or precursor thereof where the phenyl group of the PEGTA is substituted with or fused with a fluorophore moiety of interest. The subject methods find use in the detection of intracellular calcium ions. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting at least one direct factor Xa inhibitor in a sample other than citrate plasma, comprising the step of mixing a sample containing a factor Xa inhibitor with a composition containing factor Xa under conditions which allow the factor Xa to release a detectable substance from a chromogenic substrate.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods for extracting and detecting at least one HDL-associated protein (e.g., ApoA1) from a sample (e.g., plasma or serum sample). In certain embodiments, a strong organic acid and hydrophilic organic solvent are mixed with the sample; after centrifugation, the supernatant is transferred to a second container where it is mixed with a non-polar organic solvent; after centrifugation, the lower aqueous layer is transferred to a third container; and then at least a portion of the transferred aqueous layer is subjected to a detection assay such that at least one HDL-associated protein is detected.

Abstract: An improved calibration process for a medical testing machine. The machine automatically recognizes that a package of calibration material has been inserted into it, and performs a calibration sequence to ascertain a calibration parameter to be used in performing future tests with the medical testing machine. The calibration package may include machine-readable indicators that the package is to be used for calibration, and of a calibration setpoint of a calibration material in the package. A calibration material may be stored in a lyophilized state in the package, and the medical testing machine may automatically reconstitute the lyophilized material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic in-vitro diagnostic analysis are described. The method includes adding a first reagent type and a second reagent type to a first test liquid during a first and second cycle times respectively. The addition of the first reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a second reagent type to a second test liquid during the first cycle time. The addition of the second reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a first reagent type to a third test liquid during the second cycle time, respectively.

Abstract: A vertical conveying device for the transport of sample container carriers having sample tubes received therein between a bottom level and a top level of a sample distribution system is presented. The vertical conveying device comprises a plurality of conveying surfaces which are movable along a circulating path. A sample distribution system having such a vertical conveying device and to a laboratory automation system having such a sample distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: Portable systems for processing and analyzing biological or environmental samples as well as different configurations of chip-based flow cytometers are provided. The portable systems include an automated assay preparation module configured to process a sample into a fluid assay with fluorescently tagged particles and a microfluidic analysis module coupled to the fluid assay module, wherein the microfluidic analysis module includes a chip-based flow cytometer.

Abstract: The automated sampling system has a water tight case that encloses a testing instrument. In the preferred embodiment, the testing instrument is a field-portable ion chromatography instrument designed to test water samples. In operation, a controller directs a syringe pump to draw fluid from outside the system through a specialized filter with a continuous flow lower reservoir. When directed by the controller, the syringe pump then injects the sample water into a testing portion of the field-portable ion chromatography instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring athletic performances include determining “flight time,” e.g., the amount of time both feet are off the ground, and optionally “flight time” resulting from different types of activities, such as jogging, running, sprinting, jumping, etc. “Flight time” may help a player or coach better understand the effort the athlete is putting out, compare efforts of two or more players, gauge the athlete's performance change over time, and/or identify conditioning needs and/or areas for improvement. Such systems and methods also may generate and display various athletic performance metrics, such as: instantaneous flight time; average flight time; cumulative flight time during an athletic performance or other time period; instantaneous jump height; average jump height; cumulative jump height during an athletic performance or other time period; and comparisons of any flight time and/or jump height metric(s) of one player against another player and/or against himself/herself; etc.

Abstract: A vibration sensor includes a mass block supported with the aid of at least one spring in a manner allowing movement relative to a frame in a measuring direction, a displacement of the mass block in the measuring direction relative to the frame being detectable by a position-measuring device. The position-measuring device includes a measuring standard and a scanning head aligned with the measuring standard. One of these two components is secured on the mass block, and the other is secured on the frame.

Abstract: An inertial sensor includes a base portion, a weight portion, a connection portion, and a first sensing element unit. The connection portion connects the weight portion and the base portion and is capable of being deformed in accordance with a change in relative position of the weight portion with respect to the position of the base portion. The first sensing element unit is provided on a first portion of the connection portion and includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic first intermediate layer. The nonmagnetic first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.

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

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for automatically controlling and stabilizing aspects of a scanning probe microscope (SPM), such as an atomic force microscope (AFM), using Peak Force Tapping (PFT) Mode. In an embodiment, a controller automatically controls periodic motion of a probe relative to a sample in response to a substantially instantaneous force determined, and automatically controls a gain in a feedback loop. A gain control circuit automatically tunes a gain based on separation distances between a probe and a sample to facilitate stability. Accordingly, instability onset is quickly and accurately determined during scanning, thereby eliminating the need of expert user tuning of gains during operation.

Abstract: A probe pin (100, 100?) for electronic testing of semi-conductor elements is provided. The pin contains an electrically conductive core element (200) made up of a metallic alloy, and an electrically insulating jacket element (300) which surrounds the core element (200) over regions thereof. The core element (200) contains a distal contact section (210) for electrical contacting to a semi-conductor element. The metallic alloy of the core element contains at least 67% by weight rhodium, 0.1% by weight to 1% by weight zirconium, up to 1% by weight yttrium, and up to 1% by weight cerium. A method for producing a probe pin is also described.

Abstract: A test probe tip can include a compliance member or force deflecting assembly and a tip component. The compliance member or force deflecting assembly can include a plunger component and a barrel component to receive the plunger component, wherein the plunger component is configured to slide axially inside the barrel component. The test probe tip can also include a spring mechanism within the barrel component to act on the plunger component, and a resistive/impedance element, e.g., a round rod resistor, coupled with the plunger component at one end and with the tip component at the opposite end.

Abstract: An arrangement for signal analysis provides at least one central data-processing unit and a screen unit connected to the at least one central data-processing unit, wherein the central data-processing unit calculates a spectrum and a spectrogram from a digitized signal. The at least one central data-processing unit is embodied in such a manner that it controls the screen unit in such a manner that the spectrogram of the digitized signal, the characteristic of the spectrum of the digitized signal and the characteristic of the digitized signal present in the time domain can be displayed together on the screen unit.

Abstract: Device for measuring at least one electrical variable of a current intended to flow in an electric apparatus, the electric apparatus comprising at least one connection terminal, each connection terminal being designed to be electrically connected to the end of a corresponding electric conductor, the device comprising at least one current sensor, each current sensor being configured for measuring the current flowing in a corresponding electric conductor. The device further comprises at least one electrically conductive spacer, each spacer being configured for being interposed between a respective connection terminal and the end of a corresponding electric conductor, and wherein each current sensor is further positioned around a respective spacer, to measure the current flowing through said spacer, between the electric conductor and the corresponding connection terminal.

Abstract: A wire wound resistor arrangement including a plurality of wire wound resistors electrically connected in a series connection, a first terminal disposed at a first end of the series connection of wire wound resistors, and a second terminal disposed at a second end of the series connection of wire wound resistors. The wire wound resistors are arranged in a polygonal shape having at least three vertices the first terminal and the second terminal are disposed at one of the vertices.

Abstract: There is provided a neutral pole transformer module for a circuit breaker capable of minimizing an influence of external noise, detecting a neutral pole current at low manufacturing cost, and detecting a neutral pole current without modifying a configuration of an existing overcurrent relay or without installing an additional component in the existing overcurrent relay. The neutral pole transformer module for a circuit breaker comprises a ZCT configured to allow a transmission line of a neutral pole detection current output from the current transformer to pass therethrough and to provide a secondary output current signal obtained by reducing the neutral pole detection current in a predetermined ratio; a printed circuit board configured to convert the secondary output current signal into a voltage signal, and to differentiate the converted voltage signal and output the same; and an enclosure formed of an electrical insulator and enclosing the ZCT and the PCB.

Abstract: An improved system and method for monitoring power lines without connecting to ground is disclosed herein. An improved sensory assembly can comprise a first end, a second end, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, an analog to digital converter, and a sensory transceiver. The first end can be electrically connectable to a first phase of a power line. The second end can be electrically connectable to a second phase of the power line. The voltage sensor can be capable of measuring a voltage between the first phase and the second phase. The current sensor can be magnetically coupled to the power line. The analog to digital converter can be capable of receiving a first signal from the voltage sensor, and can be capable of receiving a second signal from the current sensor.