Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology include a system for analyzing a molecule. The system may include a device. The device includes a first conductive element, a second conductive element, and an insulating layer. The insulating layer may be tapered in a direction to reach a minimum thickness at a first end of the device. The insulating layer is disposed between the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The device may include a voltage source in electrical communication with the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The device may also include an electrical meter in electrical communication with the voltage source, the first conductive element, and the second conductive element.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and devices for determining water and sediment content in a hydrocarbon fluid sample. The methods and devices for determining water and sediment content in a hydrocarbon fluid sample include a Karl Fischer titration device and a titration vessel configured to implement a Karl Fischer titration and an ultrasonic particle detector configured to identify sediment in the hydrocarbon fluid sample.

Abstract: A system includes at least one circumferentially-polarized d15 shear ring transducer and a controller electrically coupled to the at least one circumferentially-polarized d15 shear ring transducer. The at least one circumferentially-polarized d15 shear ring transducer is configured to be disposed on a structure and to detect at least one shear horizontal-type acoustic emission from damage to the structure. The controller includes a machine-readable storage medium and a processor in signal communication with the machine-readable storage medium. The processor is configured to store acoustic emission signal data in the machine-readable storage medium when a signal amplitude detected by the at least one circumferentially-polarized d15 shear ring transducer crosses a first threshold.

Abstract: Described are a method and a system for injecting a sample into a flow of a liquid chromatography system. The method includes combining a flow of a sample and a flow of a mobile phase to create a diluted sample in the system flow. The volumetric flow rate of the sample is controlled to be at a value that yields a desired dilution ratio for the diluted sample. The particular value at which the volumetric flow rate is maintained can be determined from the desired value of the dilution ratio and the volumetric flow rate of the mobile phase. System embodiments include a syringe that can be used to provide a sample solution at a controllable volumetric flow rate for combination with a high pressure mobile phase.

Abstract: An on-line gas chromatography system for a fixed-bed continuous flow reactor and a method for on-line gas analysis of a catalytic reaction using the gas chromatography system. A reactor flow loop, a gas chromatogram, and a hydrostatic regulator are present in the gas chromatography system, wherein the reactor flow loop contains a fixed-bed reactor, a purge gas source, a feed gas source, and a by-pass line for reaction calibration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for preventing band broadening and remixing of separated fractions, and associated method, comprising a chromatographic column coupled to a flow selector, such as a rotary valve, wherein said flow selector is connected to the distal end of said column such that the sum of post-column swept volume and post-column dead volume is less than 10 ?L. Preferably, the column is directly plugged into the inlet port of the rotary valve and the sample is fractionated at the outlet port.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry method includes: creating a plurality of measurement conditions corresponding to all combinations of precursor-ion candidates generated from the target compound and collision-energy-value candidates; performing a product-ion scan measurement using each of the plurality of measurement conditions and performing a plurality of reference measurements for detecting a predetermined kind of ion generated from the target compound under the same condition, within an introduction time during which the target compound is introduced; creating a peak function, which is a function representing a change in the amount of introduction of the target compound into the mass spectrometer within the introduction time, based on the result of the reference measurement; creating a normalization function for normalizing the amount of introduction of the target compound within the introduction time, based on the peak function; and normalizing the intensity of product-ion spectra obtained by the product-ion scan meas

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for characterizing a product sample for example in comparison to a reference sample using a sensor such as a gas chromatograph or a MOS sensor. This characterization may comprise an indication of whether or not the product sample conforms to a quality criterion. The comparison of the sensor output measurements for the product sample is compared to maximum and minimum value curves, which may be derived from measurements of the reference sample, whereby adjacent samples outside the envelope defined by these maximum and minimum values are grouped together. A dissimilarity index may be determined for the anomalous values as a whole, or on a per group basis. The groups may be classified depending on the shape they describe, in particular the presence, or not, of peaks, and correspondingly the shape of the corresponding part of the envelope.

Abstract: A method for detecting explosives and other target substances using the detector canine is used to inspect the object by the detector canine accompanied by the handler who visually observes changes in the detector canine's behavior and determines the presence of explosives and/or other target substances when there are behavioral changes in the detector canine. With the changes in behavior of the detector canine during the inspection, the current complex psychophysiological response of the detector canine is determined and compared with the previously determined response for odor detection. According to the response results, the conclusions regarding the detector canine detecting explosives and/or other target substances are made.

Abstract: Provided is an oxide semiconductor gas sensor with improved performance that senses selectively methylbenzene gases with high sensitivity. The gas sensor includes a gas sensing layer composed of palladium (Pd)-loaded cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanostructures. The response of the gas sensor according to the present invention to xylene gas at a concentration as low as 5 ppm is at least 150 times higher than that to ethanol gas. The response of the gas sensor to toluene gas at a concentration as low as 5 ppm is at least 100 times higher than that to ethanol gas. In addition, the oxide semiconductor gas sensor has the ability to selectively detect methylbenzene gases, including xylene and toluene (with at least 30-fold higher response to xylene and at least 15 times higher response to toluene than that to ethanol gas).

Abstract: A system and method for calculating real-time carbon emissions at a distribution substation level and at an individual device level is disclosed. A substation controller is provided at the utility substation that is in operable communication with one or more devices via a demand response protocol, the demand response protocol including demand response signals transferrable from the substation controller to the one or more devices and demand response signals transferrable from the one or more devices to the substation controller. A carbon emissions calculator module is embedded in the substation controller and/or the devices that is programmed to identify or receive power consumption data from respective devices and calculate carbon emissions for the respective devices based on the power consumption data. Carbon emissions data may be provided to the substation controller to provide for a determination and output of the calculated carbon emissions for each of the one more devices.

Abstract: A method comprises: receiving wine evaluations of wines from wine panelists, each wine evaluation including intensity values describing a plurality of wine characteristics for each of a set of wines, each wine evaluation generated by a wine panelist; generating a global intensity value from particular intensity values describing a particular wine characteristic of a particular wine, the particular intensity values being from the wine evaluations; comparing a selected intensity value generated by a selected wine panelist describing the particular wine characteristic for the particular wine against the global intensity value to determine an accuracy deviation; comparing the accuracy deviation against an accuracy deviation threshold to determine whether the selected intensity value is deemed inaccurate based on the comparison; updating the global intensity value for the particular wine characteristic for the particular wine based on the accuracy determination; and storing the updated global intensity value in a

Abstract: A method of measuring nitrate concentration in an aqueous sample include mixing the aqueous sample with a water-soluble thioether compound including a chromophore group in the presence of a water soluble catalyst; measuring a color change, and correlating the color change to nitrate concentration.

Abstract: A method of measuring nitrate concentration in an aqueous sample includes mixing the aqueous sample with a water-soluble thioether chosen to reduce nitrate in the aqueous sample to nitrite in the presence of a water soluble catalyst, and a water soluble reagent system adapted to interact with nitrite to generate a color; measuring color generation, and correlating the color generation to nitrate concentration.

Abstract: Provided is a novel method of suppressing non-specific protein adsorption. The above-mentioned object can be achieved by treating a solid phase with a solid phase-treating liquid containing a phosphorylcholine group-containing polymer as a main component, and treating a specimen with a specimen-treating liquid containing, as a main component, a polymer having a phosphorylcholine group, a hydroxy group, and a hydrophobic group, followed by addition of the treated specimen to the treated solid phase.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a concentration of amyloid-beta within a chiral solution includes signal generation circuitry for generating a first signal having an applied first orbital angular momentum signature and applying the first signal to the chiral solution. A detector for receiving the first signal after the first signal passes through the chiral solution and determining the concentration of amyloid-beta within the chiral solution based on a detected second orbital angular momentum signature received from the chiral solution that comprises an amplitude measurement and a phase measurement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the severity of hemophilia, the method including the steps of: coagulating a blood specimen to acquire a coagulation waveform; acquiring an average change rate of a coagulation rate from the coagulation waveform; and determining the severity of hemophilia in the blood specimen based on the average change rate of the coagulation rate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a platelet-testing chip. The platelet-testing chip includes a plurality of sample chambers storing blood samples, stirrers provided in the sample chambers to apply shearing force to the blood samples, a plurality of waste sample chambers provided so as to correspond to the plurality of the sample chambers, microchannels, through which the sample chambers and the waste sample chambers corresponding to each other are independently connected to thus form paths through which the blood samples flow from the sample chambers to the corresponding waste sample chambers, and microbeads which are received in one or more of the plurality of the sample chambers and which are coated with a reagent for activating platelets on an outer surface thereof. When the blood samples are transferred from the sample chambers through the microchannels, the microbeads are transferred together with the blood samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of insulin resistance, a metabolic disorder, diabetes and pre-diabetes in a subject. The method comprises the step of determining the level of a compound represented by structural formula (VI): or a salt thereof. Compositions and method of making thereof are also described.

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: A solution is described for preserving cells and/or extra-cellular components in naturally expressed bodily fluids (e.g. saliva, sputum, urine) for further downstream analysis and/or for diagnosis of a medical condition. The solution may be hypertonic with respect to blood. Techniques are described for enriching cells from a sample of a naturally expressed bodily fluid, and/or for analysis, e.g. to diagnose medical conditions such as cancer, obesity, infections, autism, Alzheimer disease, hetotological disorders, cardiovascular disease or disorders, diabetes, vulnerable plack, LTBI, HIV infection, COPD, ACQS.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a formulation for detecting a species indicative of a disease in a patient. The formulation comprises a mercury-containing reagent which, when contacted with a fluid sample from the patient, colourimetrically indicates whether the fluid sample contains the species. The mercury-containing reagent is contained within a non-flowing carrier which, upon exposure to the fluid sample, causes rapid mixing of substantially all of the mercury-containing reagent and the fluid sample.

Abstract: Methods, systems, compositions and kits are described for detecting cleaved glycans from a glycoconjugate. After labeling the glycan with a nucleic acid charged oligomer described herein, the labeled glycans can be separated under the influence of an electric field or based on their detectable tag and identified.

Abstract: A method of making a nanocomposite includes forming at least one gold nanorod; coating a silver layer on an outer surface of the gold nanorod; assembling a Raman reporter molecule layer on the coated silver layer; coating a pegylated layer on the assembled Raman reporter molecule layer; and conjugating the coated pegylated layer with an active layer, the active layer comprising at least one of a targeting molecule configured to bind to the target of interest and a functional molecule configured to interact with the target of interest.

Abstract: Portable devices for anti-drug antibody (ADA) testing, to estimate safety and/or efficacy of therapeutic agents are provided. These devices can be used to perform point of care risk assessment for various applications, including but not restricted to one or more of the following: selection of therapeutic drug for patient treatment; evaluation of the need to change therapeutic drug or to apply tolerance regimens; patient immune status prior and after vaccination; selection of patients for clinical trials; comparison of therapeutic drugs marketed for a given disease and also gene therapy; testing pre-existing antibodies as a risk factor; postmarketing surveillance of therapeutic drugs.

Abstract: A biosensor system and method of its use for detecting particles on the surface of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The system can include a light source and a plurality of optical sensors formed on an integrated circuit. The particles can be positioned the surface of the integrated circuit whereby the particles can cast a shadow or shadows that reduces the amount of light transmitted from the light source to the optical sensors. The surface of the integrated circuit can include one or more optical sensing areas whereby the presence of one or more particles may significantly or measurably reduce the amount of light incident on one or more optical sensor.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for assays. In particular, provided herein are systems and methods for performing high throughput immunoassays. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide multiplex capable LSPR immunoassays that meet a need for rapid (e.g., near real time), accurate immunoassays (e.g. for use in beside diagnostics). The LSPR assays are as accurate as existing ELISA assays but provide the advantage of increased speed and multiplex capability. In addition, the LSPR immunoassays are able to analyze small volumes of complex patient samples (e.g., serum).

Abstract: A nasal irrigation diagnostic assembly comprising an irrigation device including a fluid collection portion structured to retain a biological sample, in the form of waste solution from the nasal cavity resulting from irrigation. A detection member disposed on said irrigation device is exposed to the biological sample and is structured to determine the existence of at least one analyte within the biological sample of the waste solution. The detection member comprises a plurality of detection zones individually structured to analyze the biological sample upon engagement therewith, wherein said plurality of zones include at least a reaction zone and a detection zone, which respectively include reagents cooperatively and collectively formulated to detect the existence of the at least one analyte within biological sample of the waste solution. A control zone may also be included to indicate the intended operability of at least the detection member.

Abstract: A universal and standalone rapid diagnostics test reader is disclosed herein that includes: a set of control electronics, an illumination component, an imaging component, a housing component, a wireless communication component, a rapid diagnostics test component, a universal rapid diagnostics test tray, wherein the tray can hold at least one rapid diagnostics test component having a shape and a size in a fixed position relative to the imaging component and the illumination component, and wherein the reader can accommodate more than one different rapid diagnostics test component, while using the same universal rapid diagnostics test tray.

Abstract: A device for receiving and analysing a sample, wherein the analysing involves use of a solution. The device comprises: a sample receiving portion for receiving a sample to be analysed; and a solution capsule having a sealed configuration in which the solution capsule is sealed and a release configuration in which contents of the solution capsule are released via a flow path that provides fluid communication between the solution capsule and the sample receiving portion. The device further comprises a bistable release mechanism comprising an actuator wherein the bistable release mechanism releases only in the event that a force applied to the actuator reaches a threshold force and wherein actuation of the actuator results in one-way conversion of the solution capsule from the sealed configuration into the release configuration.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for characterizing cellular physiology by incorporating into an electrically excitable cell an optical reporter of, and an optical actuator of, electrical activity. A signal is obtained from the optical reporter in response to a stimulation of the cell. Either or both of the optical reporter and actuator may be based on genetically-encoded rhodopsins incorporated into the cell. The invention provides all optical methods that may be used instead of, or as a complement to, traditional patch clamp technologies and that can provide rapid, accurate, and flexible assays of cellular physiology.

Abstract: The system includes a simple system for CD4 and CD8 counting in point-of-care HIV staging within resource poor countries. Unlike previous approaches, no sample preparation is required with the sample added directly to a chip containing dried reagents by capillary flow. A large area image cytometer consisting of an LED module is used to excite the fluorochromes PerCP and APC labeled targets and a monochrome CCD camera with a combination of two macro lenses captures images of 40 mm2 of blood (approximately 1 microliter). CD4 and CD8-T-lymphocyte counts correlate well with those obtained by flow cytometry. The cytometer system described in the present invention provides an affordable and easy-to-use technique for use in remote locations.

Abstract: Described are combinations of specific binding proteins, such as immunoglobulins, that are designed to be true combinations, essentially all components of the combination being functional and compatible with each other. Further provided are methods for producing a composition comprising at least two different proteinaceous molecules comprising paired variable regions, the at least two proteinaceous molecules having different binding specificities, comprising paired variable regions, at least two proteinaceous molecules having different binding specificities, comprising contacting at least three different variable regions under conditions allowing for pairing of variable regions and harvesting essentially all proteinaceous molecules having binding specificities resulting from the pairing.

Abstract: The invention belongs to the fields of medicine and immunology, particularly, the field of immunological diagnosis. In particular, the invention discloses a method for assessing whether a subject is at risk of developing human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) active infection and a kit therefore. The method comprises the steps of: (1) determining the level of an antibody against a HCMV protein in a body fluid sample from the subject; and (2) comparing the level with a predetermined reference value, wherein if the level is below the predetermined reference value, the subject is determined to be at risk of developing HCMV active infection. In addition, the invention also discloses a method for screening a candidate drug which is capable of improving the ability of a subject to resist human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) active infection, and a kit therefore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening a compound useful for treating or preventing a viral infection or a virus-related condition in an individual, comprising at least the steps of: a) determining the ability of a candidate compound to promote the interaction between CBP20 and CBP80 in a sample, and b) selecting the candidate compound that is determined to promote said interaction at step a). The present invention further relates to a method for screening a compound useful for treating or preventing a viral infection or virus-related condition in an individual, comprising at least the steps of: a) determining the ability of a candidate compound to interact with CBP20 or CBP80 in a sample, and b) selecting the candidate compound that is determined to interact with CBP20 or CBP80 at step a).

Abstract: Provided herein are biomarkers of acute liver injury (ALI), which includes acute liver failure, and methods of diagnosing ALI and/or monitoring treatment and prognosis therewith. In particular, serum levels of carbamoyl phosphate synthatase-1 (CPS1) are detected to diagnose and/or monitor treatment and prognosis of ALI.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for determining or predicting response to HER2-directed therapy in an individual.

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 invention provides compositions and methods for diagnosing a patient as having a myeloproliferative disease by identifying mutations in the MPL gene or gene products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for screening for prostate cancer in a subject. In particular, the present invention provides a method of for screening for prostate cancer in a subject, said method comprising determining the level of one or more of certain polypeptides in a urinary exosome-containing sample that has been obtained from a subject. Such methods can be used to for diagnosing prostate cancer, for the prognosis of prostate cancer, for monitoring the progression of prostate cancer in a subject, for determining the clinical severity of prostate cancer, for predicting the response of a subject to therapy, or for determining the efficacy of a therapeutic regime being used to treat prostate cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides method for diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis of prostate cancer using one or more of keratin 4, keratin 7, keratin 8, keratin 15, keratin 18, keratin 19, tubulin-beta 3, filamin B, and LY9, and PSA. The invention provides kits for practicing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device, having at least one fluid compartment, an aerator, at least one connecting tube, and a peristaltic pump. The at least one fluid compartment has a base frame, a culture layer, and a flow layer. The culture layer has a base layer and an intermediate layer, and the intermediate layer has at least one opening formed through the intermediate layer to form at least one culture chamber. The flow layer has a top frame layer, a fluid layer, and a transparent layer. The top frame layer has two channels and a hollow. The fluid layer has at least one fluid chamber which is respectively corresponding to the at least one culture chamber of the culture layer. The at least one connecting tube connects the two channels of the top frame layer of the fluid compartment, the aerator, and the peristaltic pump.

Abstract: Polypeptide marker antigens for detecting the presence of autoantibody biomarkers associated with ovarian cancer recurrence, each of the polypeptide marker antigens binding specifically to at least one autoantibody marker. An antibody binding assay for detecting the presence of autoantibody biomarkers associated with ovarian cancer recurrence, and methods for performing the assay. Methods for determining ovarian cancer recurrence in an ovarian cancer patient. A method for isolating antibodies specific for ovarian cancer by their affinity to the polypeptide marker antigens, and antibodies isolated by that method.

Abstract: Antibodies, compositions, systems, and methods for detecting C4.4a, for example immunohistochemistry methods for detecting C4.4a using a C4.4a antibody. The antibody may be obtained by immunizing a host with a C4.4a protein such as a peptide downstream of the signal peptide. The antibodies may be adapted to detect the uPAR-like domain 1 and uPAR-like domain 2. Also featured are methods for diagnosing C4.4a-associated tumors using C4.4a antibodies disclosed herein.

Abstract: Multiplex assays for improved scoring of tumor tissues stained with PD-L1 featuring PD-L1 staining in a first color plus staining of one or more differentiating markers, such as a marker specific for tumor cells and a marker specific for immune cells, are disclosed. The differentiation between the tumor cells and immune cells may improve the ease of scoring, the accuracy and speed of scoring, and the reproducibility of scoring of PD-L1 positive samples for therapy purposes.

Abstract: A sample is dissolved in a reagent 4 containing an organic solvent in a conversion vessel 11. A gas is supplied from a first gas supply part into the conversion vessel 11 via a reagent introduction tube 17, and thus the interior of the conversion vessel 11 is pressurized. A gas is supplied from a second gas supply part into the reagent 4 in the conversion vessel 11 via a reagent discharge tube 18, and thus gas bubbles 41 are formed in the reagent 4.

Abstract: Devices for detection of antibodies against therapeutic drugs (ADAs), in which chimeric proteins facilitate immobilization and exposure of target epitopes, are described. Results can be obtained in minutes, enabling point of care testing and/or patient self-testing, and risk assessment. The data can also be used for deriving scientific knowledge in the fields of oncology, autoimmune diseases (including but not restricted to diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis), cardiovascular diseases, rare diseases, and other diseases for which treatment comprises administration of a therapeutic drug and/or gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and other technologies that may be used to determine whether compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) comprising interleukin-10 molecules (e.g., pegylated interleukin-10) meet particular product-related specifications prior to being administered to a subject for the treatment and/or prevention of the diseases, disorders and conditions, and/or the symptoms thereof, described herein.

Abstract: Chronic inflammation is an increasing medical problem area of high socioeconomic significance. The invention relates to a method and a kit for diagnosing a molecular phenotype of a patient suffering from an illness accompanied by chronic inflammation, and to a medicament for treating such a patient. To that end, the gene expression of GATA-3 and/or Tbet in a biological isolate of the patient is measured and used for association with a molecular phenotype of the illness.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, cells and constructs for optical measurement of membrane potential. These methods can be used in cells that are not accessible to presently available methods using electrodes. The methods can be directed to, for example, high-throughput drug screening assays to determine agents that can affect membrane potential of a target cell.