Abstract: The invention refers to a method for diagnosing an individual who is to be subjected to or is being subjected to an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF? or TNF) treatment to asses the responsiveness to an anti-TNF treatment which comprises the detection of immunoglobulin(s) against one or more biomarker proteins in a bodily fluid or an excrement of said patient, and sorting the individual into one of two categories based on detection of said immunoglobulin(s), wherein individuals are classified as NON-responder or responder. The invention refers to diagnostic kits comprising said one or more biomarker proteins and the use of these kits for assessing the responsiveness to an anti-TNF treatment of an individual who is to be subjected to or is being subjected to an anti-TNF? treatment.

Abstract: Nucleic acids and proteins having a mutant MEK sequence, and methods concerning identification of patients having resistance to treatment with anti-cancer agents, specifically inhibitors of RAF or MEK are provided. Methods of treatment and for optimizing treatment for patients having a mutation in a MEK1 sequence are also provided.

Abstract: A method for treating cancer and gold(III) complexes with diaminocyclohexane ligand as anticancer agents. Also described are a pharmaceutical composition incorporating the gold(III) complexes and a method of synthesizing the gold(III) complexes.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of evaluating metastatic potential of a cancer based on the phosphorylation state and/or intracellular localization of iASPP. Therapeutic regimens designed based on the results of the diagnostic methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system for making molecules, and proteins in particular, suitable for detection by a surface-selective nonlinear optical technique. A first use of the invention is for determining a protein's structure in real space and real time. A second use of the invention is to detect a protein or its activity (conformational change). A third use of the invention is for drug screening. A further aspect of the present invention is measuring probe tilt angle orientation in an oriented protein.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydroxyl radial generating devices, comprising: a substrate layer; and a pyrite layer configured to produce hydroxyl radicals. Another aspect relates to a method for producing a hydroxyl radical generating device, comprising: providing a polymeric substrate layer; placing a layer of pyrite on a surface of the polymeric substrate layer to form a multi-layer structure; and applying heat to the multi-layer structure such that at least the surface of the polymeric substrate layer contracts; wherein the layer of pyrite contracts to a lesser extent than the surface of the polymeric substrate layer providing a textured surface comprising the pyrite layer. Also disclosed is a method of analysis, comprising: placing a solution comprising a biological substance on a sample site of a hydroxyl generating device comprising a surface of pyrite; incubating the solution; and analyzing a sample including proteolytic fragments of the biological substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel sensor for detecting a target. The nucleic acid sensor of the present invention includes a nucleic acid element that includes a catalyst nucleic acid molecule (D) that exerts a catalytic function and a binding nucleic acid molecule (A) that binds to a target. The nucleic acid element is a double-stranded nucleic acid element including a first strand and a second strand. The first strand (ss1) includes the binding nucleic acid molecule (A), a loop-forming sequence (L1), and the catalyst nucleic acid molecule (D) linked in this order. The second strand (ss2) includes a stem-forming sequence (SA), a loop-forming sequence (L2), and a stem-forming sequence (SD) linked in this order.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for identifying one or more proteins or polypeptides comprised by a sample. The methods comprise determining binding of each polypeptide with respect to each binding pool of a plurality of binding pools, wherein each binding pool comprises one or more probes which bind a structure comprised by a protein or polypeptide. In some aspects, polypeptides can be denatured and separated into individual polypeptide strands and immobilized on a solid support prior to determining binding of the binding pools. A protein, polypeptide or polypeptide strand can be identified by searching, in at least one database, for a protein or polypeptide sequence comprising binding pool targets either identical to or most similar to the binding pool targets comprised by the protein, polypeptide or polypeptide strand to be identified. Kits for identifying proteins, polypeptides and polypeptide strands are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the binding of an antibody to an Fc receptor present on the surface of a cell as well as to a method for determining the level of glycosylation of an antibody. The invention also relates to a reagent kit for carrying out these methods.

Abstract: A method of bioassay for the quantification of biomarkers useful in the diagnosis of fibrosis disease and prognosis of its development, including biomarkers indicative of the risk of developing fibrosis after a chronic injury is provided. In particular, according to the present invention, biomarkers relating to degradation fragments of Collagen type I, III, IV, V, and VI, elastin, C-reactive protein, and proteoglycans including Biglycan, Decorin, Versican, and Perlecan are found to be useful.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ex vivo method for aiding the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in a patient comprising: (i) determining the number of alleles of ApoE4 in the patient's genome; (ii) determining the combined expression level of at least three platelet proteins in a platelet sample from the patient; and (iii) comparing the resulting value of step (ii) to a control value, wherein the at least three platelet proteins include at least one isoform of alpha-tropomyosin containing exon 1a and at least two platelet proteins selected from monoamine oxidase-B, coagulation factor XIIIa, wild-type GSTO-1 or mutant GSTO-1, wherein a result higher than the control value is indicative of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are several methods for selecting agents that bind to transmembrane receptors in a conformationally-selective way. In some embodiments, the method may comprise producing: a transmembrane receptor in an active conformation; and said transmembrane receptor in an inactive conformation and using cell sorting to select, from a population of cells comprising a library of cell surface-tethered extracellular capture agents, cells that are specifically bound to either the transmembrane receptor in its active conformation or the transmembrane receptor in its inactive conformation, but not both. In other embodiments, the method may comprise: contacting a GPCR with a population of cells that comprise a library of surface-tethered extracellular proteins; labeling the cell population with a conformationally-specific binding agent, e.g., a G-protein or mimetic thereof; and using cell sorting to select from the cell population cells that bind to the agent.

Abstract: Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a vitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally are directed to ionizing a vitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more vitamin D metabolites in a single assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparation of purified autoimmune antigen positive serum. The method comprises steps of: using autoimmune antigen to immunize healthy animals, obtaining antiserum after blood sampling, and purifying the antiserum for obtaining positive serum, the step of purifying the antiserum for obtaining positive serum are as follows: affining and purifying the antiserum for obtaining IgG antibody; coupling the IgG antibody and human IgG Fc or human IgM Fc or human IgA Fc at a ratio of 1:1˜2; separating and purifying the coupled solution for obtaining IgG-IgG Fc conjugates concentrated solution or IgG-IgM Fc conjugates concentrated solution or IgG-IgA Fc conjugates concentrated solution; and diluting the IgG-IgG Fc conjugates concentrated solution or the IgG-IgM Fc conjugates concentrated solution or the IgG-IgA Fc conjugates concentrated solution to a concentration of 0.5˜1 ?g/ml for obtaining the positive serum.

Abstract: An automatic analysis device is provided with a reagent container disk, a reagent loader (6), a reagent loader position sensor, an RFID antenna, a memory unit, a reagent loading switch (26), and reagent load position LEDs (21-25). The reagent loader (6) has a plurality of slots for inserting reagent containers (4) and moves between the outside and the reagent container disk. The reagent load position LEDs (21-25) display determination results for each slot indicating whether the reagent accommodated in the reagent container inserted into the slot or the slot can be used on the basis of the presence of a reagent container in the slot and the reagent state of the inserted reagent or the state of the slot.

Abstract: A test apparatus and a method for controlling the same are provided. The test apparatus may receive information about a reaction device, information about a storage environment, and external environment information from a storage storing a sample and a sensor sensing the external environment of the test apparatus. The test apparatus may perform a variety of control actions for testing the sample based on a temperature of and around the reaction device, resulting in increased reliability of the test result.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system having: a pipetting chamber; a set of pipettor cartridges docked in the pipetting chamber; a gantry system mounted on a ceiling within the pipetting chamber, the gantry system including: at least one stationary track aligned in a first direction; and a movable track aligned in a second direction distinct from the first direction, the movable track coupled to the at least one stationary track; and a carrier configured to transport each of the set of pipettor cartridges to a pipetting location within the pipetting chamber, the carrier configured to move each pipettor cartridge in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

Abstract: A method includes generating motion data by receiving a gyroscope data from a gyroscope sensor, performing integration using the gyroscope data and generating an integrated gyroscope data using a first processor. The method further includes receiving a data from one or more sensors, other than the gyroscope sensor, and performing sensor fusion using the integrated gyroscope data and the data to generate motion data using a second processor.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of telematics devices and exemplary corresponding methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a telematics device generally includes a controller and a wireless communication module for transmitting data to a remote station. The controller is configured to periodically obtain the speed of a vehicle, determine when the speed of the vehicle has exceeded a first speed threshold, store the monitored speed as a max speed value, and compare each successive monitoring interval speed to a previous monitoring interval speed. When the successive monitoring interval speed is greater than the max speed value, the max speed value is updated. A speeding event occurs when each successive monitoring interval speed is above the first speed threshold for a speed duration, and/or when any successive monitoring interval speed exceeds a second speed threshold.

Abstract: A motion analysis method includes: specifying plural operations included in a motion operation using an output from an inertial sensor; calculating an operating time of each of the plural operations; adjusting a time axis of each operating time; and outputting operation information of the operation based on the adjusted time axis.

Abstract: Sensor arrangement for measuring a rotation speed of a salient member of a rotatable body comprising a first electrode arrangement providing a first input, a second electrode arrangement providing a second input different from the first input, the first and second electrode arrangements configured so noise in the first and second inputs is substantially the same, and wherein variations in the first and second inputs are caused by rotation of the rotatable body and the salient member past the first and second electrode arrangements, an output arrangement for receiving the first and second inputs, and for providing an output proportional to a difference between the first and second inputs, and a retaining member for retaining one or more of the first and second electrode arrangements and output arrangement, the speed of rotation of the salient member measurable from a variation in the output caused by rotation of that salient member.

Abstract: A sensor interface circuit for a vehicle includes a signal conditioning module having at least one raw sensor signal input, and at least one conditioned sensor signal output, and a differential comparator module including a differential comparator and an adaptable hysteresis module. The adaptable hysteresis module provides a first hysteresis magnitude to the differential comparator when a sensor signal is below a threshold and a second hysteresis magnitude to the differential comparator when the sensor signal is above the threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the structural health of a stock of columns such as lighting columns and/or columns within that stock each of which is connected to receive power from an external source or otherwise. The method comprises the steps of locating on an upper surface of each or a plurality of columns within the stock to be monitored a micro controller connected to receive power from the electrical source of the respective column. The micro controller includes an electronic chip or board which includes, in circuit, an accelerometer, a Wi-Fi/RF or 3G/4G component or the like and a global positioning system (GPS) component or the like. The micro controller is operable to detect and monitor the magnitude and direction of forces imposed on the respective column and the direction from which such forces are derived, and to transmit the received data to a remote server for analysis.

Abstract: A Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) device includes a sensing element, and a proof mass over and overlapping at least a portion of the sensing element. The proof mass is configured to be movable toward the sensing element. A protection region is formed between the sensing element and the proof mass. The protection region overlaps a first portion of the sensing element, and does not overlap a second portion of the sensing element, wherein the first and the second portions overlap the proof mass.

Abstract: Techniques for compensating for inertial and/or magnetic interference in a mobile device are provided. The mobile device can include a vibration motor to vibrate the device, a processor, and can include an inertial sensor and/or a magnetometer. The processor can be configured to actuate the vibration motor to induce vibration of the mobile device, to measure motion of the mobile device with the inertial sensor of the device to produce sensor output data and/or to measure a magnetic field generated by the vibration motor to produce magnetometer output data, and to compensate for the vibration of the inertial sensor induced by the vibration motor to produce compensated sensor output data and/or to compensate for a magnetic field generated by the vibration motor when the vibration motor is actuated to produce compensated magnetometer output data.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an actuator module (10) for actuating a load (14). The actuator module (10) comprises a deformable frame (1) and an actuator (2) connected to the deformable frame (1). A time-varying force distribution (F) couples to an excited state (V0) of an eigenmode (V) of the deformable frame (1). The force distribution (F), as well as a stiffness distribution (K) and/or mass distribution (M) of the deformable frame 1 are adapted such that static nodal points (11s) of the deformable frame 1 are coincided with mode nodal points (11m). The locations where the nodal points coincide can be used to connect the actuator module (10) to a base frame to reduce transfer of vibrations to the base frame and back which may otherwise undesirably influence the transfer function from actuator to load. The disclosure further concerns a method for designing and/or manufacturing the actuator module.

Abstract: A test system for performing a plurality of tests on a plurality of devices includes a tester having a plurality of tester pins and at least one socket, wherein the plurality of devices are received in the at least one socket. The test system further includes a plurality of multiplexers, wherein each of the multiplexers has an input coupled to one of the plurality of tester pins and each of the multiplexers has outputs coupled to individual device pins of the devices. The tester is configurable to perform a first test on a first plurality of devices and a second test on a second plurality of devices without disconnecting the devices from the at least one socket.

Abstract: A semiconductor device inspection apparatus includes probe sockets and an insulating plate that holds probes via the probe sockets. The probe sockets each include an opposing part that opposes the insulating plate in the direction in which the probe is pressed and has a pressure passive member disposed in the opposing part. The insulating plate is transparent. When pressing force is applied to the tips of the probes, the pressure passive members are pressed between the opposing parts of the probe sockets and the insulating plate. The semiconductor device inspection apparatus further includes a camera to capture an image of the pressure passive members from the opposite side of the insulating plate to the side on which the pressure passive members are disposed, and an image processor to process the image captured by the camera to detect the presence or absence of pressure received by the pressure passive members.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A high bandwidth signal probe device and a method of probing a high bandwidth signal are provided. The high bandwidth signal probe device includes a probe tip for probing a stub of a backdrilled via of a printed circuit board. The probe tip is adapted to fit in the backdrilled via. The probe tip has a length adapted to reach the stub of the backdrilled via. The probe tip is adapted to contact a plated portion of the stub of the backdrilled via. A resistive element is associated with the probe tip. The method includes inserting a probe tip of a signal probe device in the backdrilled via, placing the probe tip in contact with a plated portion of the stub of the backdrilled via, and receiving an electrical signal through a path which includes a resistive element of the probe tip of the signal probe device.

Abstract: A probe for automatic test equipment (ATE) includes: an outer shroud including a course alignment feature configured to receive a target device and to guide the target device into an interior of the outer shroud, where the target device includes exposed electrical leads; and an inner structure that is at least partly inside the outer shroud. The inner structure includes electrical contacts for making an electrical connection to the exposed electrical leads, and also includes a fine alignment feature configured to guide the target device towards the electrical contacts to make the electrical connection.

Abstract: Non-contact measurement of one or more electrical response characteristics of a p-n junction includes illuminating a surface of the p-n junction with light of a first intensity having a modulation or pulsed characteristic sufficient to establish a steady-state condition in a junction photovoltage (JPV) of the p-n junction, measuring a first JPV from the p-n junction within the illumination area, illuminating the surface of the p-n junction with light of an additional intensity, measuring an additional photovoltage from the portion of the p-n junction within the illumination area, determining a photocurrent density of the p-n junction at the first intensity. The non-contact measurement further includes determining the forward voltage, the saturation current density, the ideality factor or one or more I-V curves with the measured first photovoltage, the measured additional photovoltage and/or the determined photocurrent density of the p-n junction.

Abstract: A wafer probing system includes a plurality of contacting pins connected to a test head. The system further includes a probe card electrically connectable with the test head, where the probe card includes a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on opposite sides of the circuit board.

Abstract: A probe card for an apparatus for testing electronic devices comprises at least one probe head, a plurality of contact probes housed within the probe head, each contact probe having at least one contact tip suitable to abut against contact pads of a device to be tested, a supporting plate of the probe head, an interface plate, a stiffener associating the supporting plate and the interface plate, a plurality of connecting elements with clearance disposed between the supporting plate and the interface plate and housed in a floating manner in a plurality of respective seats made in the supporting plate, and a plurality of connecting elements without clearance disposed between the interface plate and the stiffener.

Abstract: Current detection circuit of a semiconductor device provided with a shunt resistor, a voltage division ratio adjustment resistor and a selection circuit which selects a voltage division ratio of the latter and has enhancement type MOSFETs and Zener Zaps as trimming elements. One of the Zener Zaps is trimmed and a divided voltage of the voltage division ratio adjustment resistor connected in parallel with the shunt resistor is outputted. The detected voltage in which variation of the resistance of the shunt resistor has been cancelled is therefore outputted. As the shunt resistor and the voltage division ratio adjustment resistor are laminated together, it is possible to obtain a current detection circuit with a small area, which can detect a current flowing into a shunt resistor with high accuracy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to using a DC multimeter configured for checking device amperage. A DC voltmeter is electrically-connected in series with the DC multimeter. A linear circuit is electrically connected in series between the DC multimeter and the DC voltmeter. A device under test is electrically-connected between positive and negative terminals of the DC voltmeter.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a system for monitoring circuit branches coupled to an input line of a load center, the system comprising a plurality of first current sensors, each configured to be coupled to a circuit branch, at least one second current sensor configured to be coupled to the input line, a controller, a plurality of first sensor circuits, each configured, in a first mode of operation, to sample a signal from an associated current sensor, and in a second mode of operation, to be powered off, and at least one second sensor circuit configured to sample a signal from the at least one second current sensor and provide an input line current measurement signal to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to operate each first sensor circuit in one of the first and second modes of operation based on the input line current measurement signal.

Abstract: An electric current sensor includes a plurality of bus bars arranged in parallel, a plurality of magnetic detection elements that are adapted to detect a strength of a magnetic field generated by an electric current flowing through the bus bars and to output a voltage according to the strength of the magnetic field detected, and an arithmetic operation part to arithmetically operate an electric current flowing through the bus bars based on the voltage output from the plurality of magnetic detection elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a detector that detects precision in charging current of a battery cell charging and discharging device, the detector including an instrument unit and a power supply unit, wherein the instrument unit includes a housing formed in a box shape open at a top thereof and a plurality of voltage measurement parts including a pair of connection terminals mounted at opposite sides of the housing inside the housing to detect precision in current of the charging and discharging device, the connection terminals being electrically connected to the power supply unit, and shunt resistance parts to apply uniform resistance to the respective connection terminals, and the power supply unit includes a charging and discharging device to supply current to the voltage measurement parts and to charge and discharge a battery cell and a multi-meter to measure current and voltage of the shunt resistance parts.

Abstract: A technique is provided for determining information about efficiency of an inductive charging system having a primary coil embedded in a road infrastructure and a secondary coil located in a vehicle moving on the road infrastructure. A first inductive coupling efficiency component attributed to the road infrastructure is determined from a total efficiency depending on a second inductive coupling efficiency component attributed to a position of the secondary coil relative to the primary coil and of a third inductive coupling efficiency component attributed to an electric circuit comprising the secondary coil.

Abstract: An input device comprises a first plurality of sensor electrodes, a second plurality of sensor electrodes, and a processing system. The processing system comprises a first integrated circuit, a second integrated circuit, and a central controller. The first integrated circuit is coupled to the first plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to receive first resulting signals therewith. The second integrated circuit is coupled to the second plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to receive second resulting signals therewith. The central controller is communicatively coupled to the first and second integrated circuits. The central controller is configured to receive the first resulting signals from the first integrated circuit and the second resulting signals from the second integrated circuit and is configured to determine positional information from the first resulting signals and the second resulting signals and to communicate the positional information to a host processor.

Abstract: A scanner system and method operable for high-resolution spatial scanning of an electromagnetic field radiated by an electronic device under test (DUT) are provided. The electromagnetic field level radiated by the DUT is measured with a probe array comprising a plurality of spatially separated switched probes, an analyzer, and a computer. An actuator changes the relative position of the probe array to the DUT by a distance less than or equal to the separation distance between the probes, and the electromagnetic field level is measured and stored again.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a harmonic oscillator circuit, a first switch circuit configured to cause an oscillating state of the harmonic oscillator circuit to switch between an “on” state and an “off” state, a detector circuit configured to produce a voltage responsive to an amplitude of the oscillating output of the harmonic oscillator circuit, a decision circuit configured to detect whether the voltage produced by the detector circuit exceeds a threshold in synchronization with a clock signal, and a second switch circuit configured to control whether or not to apply noise from a noise source to the harmonic oscillator circuit.

Abstract: A method and device for diagnosing an electrical condition of a spatially extended hardware component in a spatially resolved manner via interference between pulses fed into the component by a signal generator. The method includes: feeding at least two pulses into the component offset by a pulse interval; detecting the interfered pulses and echoes via an analysis unit; varying the pulse interval for the spatially resolved scanning of the hardware component along its length; repeating the steps until the component has been scanned at least in some sections; and analyzing the detected interfered pulses in the analysis unit. The device includes at least one signal generator connected to the component and to an analysis unit to generate the pulses, wherein local energy losses are mathematically determined over the length of the component on the basis of a plurality of interference voltage waveforms and voltage waveforms induced by the pulses.

Abstract: An illustrative example conductor monitoring device includes a generator configured to radiate a field into a conductor. A detector is configured to detect at least some of the field propagated along the conductor. A processor is configured to determine when a change in the propagated field detected by the detector indicates contact between the conductor and a conductive blade of a wire processing machine. The example conductor monitoring device is capable of providing information regarding the condition of a conductor that has gone through a wire handling process that involves cutting the wire and stripping insulation from near the end of the cut wire, for example. The information regarding the condition of the wire is obtained without making contact with the wire and without interfering with or requiring any alteration of the wire handling process or machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detection and adaption to an end-of-line resistor in a notification appliance circuit (NAC) of a control panel or power booster of, for example, an alarm system, and for ground fault localization in the alarm system are provided. The apparatus can include the NAC where the NAC includes first and second analog input terminals, where the NAC includes first and second external output terminals, and where the NAC includes an end-of-line resistor. Current can be driven through the NAC via the first and second analog input terminals, and voltage can be measured at each of the first and second external output terminals. The measured voltage can be indicative of one of a value of the end-of-line resistor or that a state of the NAC is one of open, shorted, ground faulted, or normal.

Abstract: An inspection method for a blanking device for multi-beams, for inspecting whether a separate blanking system of the blanking device is defective, includes, using the blanking device, measuring a value of current flowing from a power source for supplying voltage based on a difference between a first potential and a second potential to each of a plurality of separate blanking systems, in a state where the first potential is applied to a first electrode from a first potential applying unit and the second potential is applied to a second electrode from a corresponding second potential applying unit in at least one second potential applying unit in each of a plurality of separate blanking systems of the blanking device, and determining, when a measured current value is a finite value and equal to or below a preset threshold, that a separate blanking system where a short circuit has occurred exists.

Abstract: A locking confirmation device of multiple electrode contacts includes an electrode, a terminal bolt, a sensing unit and a positioning bolt. The electrode includes an electrode thread and a positioning thread. The terminal bolt is used for locking a conductor and the electrode thread. The terminal bolt includes a positioning recess. The sensing unit includes an insulated cover, a first contact, a second contact, an elastic member and an voltage signal input connector. When the elastic member is extruded, a circuit is formed for returning a voltage signal of a node of the electrode. The positioning bolt is used for fixing a detection sensor assembly on the positioning thread. When a head portion of the positioning bolt is received within the positioning recess, the terminal bolt is led to a locking state by the head portion of the positioning bolt. Therefore, a fault of an electricity system is prevented.

Abstract: A line sensor assembly is described for measuring line characteristics in a power line such as voltage, phase, current, etc. The line sensor assembly includes a set of electric field sensors, where the electric field sensors are positioned annularly about an axis of the assembly corresponding to an axis of a power line. A measurement circuit is configured to measure an electric field across each of the electric field sensors to produce a set of electric field measurements. The set of electric field measurements may be used to determine the line characteristics of a given power line.

Abstract: To provide the user of an RF-surgical instrument with a non-hazardous short test operation, for example so as to test the ignitability of an argon plasma probe, provision is made for an instrument test arrangement, which is installed into a feeding medical device or into a neutral conductor connecting cable or which is provided as plug adapter, which is to be plugged between the device and the neutral conductor connecting cable. The instrument test arrangement comprises at least one or, better yet, two ignition test electrodes, which are connected to conductors of the device or of the neutral conductor cable, preferably via impedance components. The ignition test electrodes can be accessed insofar as a spark can be created simultaneously to both ignition test electrodes by means of an operational probe or an instrument.