Abstract: The invention relates to methods for inspecting objects fed in a continuous flow, in particular packages or components, wherein an inspecting body is guided along an inspection segment together with an object and a response to an inspection of the object is detected by means of a sensor in order to determine if the object meets a quality criterion, in particular is tight or leaky or true to size or functional.

Abstract: A method of detecting urine and/or feces is disclosed, which includes detecting the concentration of at least one gas component indicative of urine and the concentration of at least one gas component indicative of feces. The method also includes registering, for each gas component, a characteristic corresponding to the variation over time of the concentration of each gas component; comparing the registered characteristic with a predetermined characteristic for the corresponding gas component; indicating a presence of urine if the registered characteristic of at least one gas component indicative of urine generally conforms with the predetermined characteristic of the same gas component; and indicating a presence of feces if the registered characteristic of at least one gas component indicative of feces generally conforms to the predetermined characteristic of the same gas component. A system for detecting urine and/or feces is also disclosed.

Abstract: A structure is provided. The structure may include an environmental test chamber including a sample chamber, a first air path beginning in the sample chamber and extending through a humidity control chamber, the first air path circulates air between the test chamber and the humidity control chamber, and a second air path beginning in the sample chamber and extending through a pollutant control chamber, the second air path circulates air between the test chamber and the pollutant control chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor structure and a method. The sensor structure includes a first sensor having a sensing element sensitive to humidity of the environment. In accordance with the invention the sensor structure also includes s second sensor having a sensing element sensitive to humidity, the second sensor comprising a catalytic permeable layer positioned on the second sensor such that it is between the sensing element of the second sensor and the environment.

Abstract: Diagnostic processes for determining whether a NOx sensor is in a stuck-in-range failure mode may be performed when the NOx sensor reaches an operational temperature and before the oxygen pumps of the NOx sensor are activated and/or during operation. The processes may include interpreting values of a parameter indicative an amount of O2 and/or NOx measured by the NOx sensor. The processes include determining if the values of the parameter exceed a threshold value and indicating a failure of the NOx sensor responsive to the values not exceeding the threshold value. In some implementations, the processes may include increasing an amount of O2 in a chamber of the NOx sensor. Increasing the amount of O2 in the chamber of the NOx sensor may include deactivating an oxygen pump of the NOx sensor or reducing an amount of O2 removed via an oxygen pump of the NOx sensor.

Abstract: The amount of dietary fiber in a sample can be quantified by dissoluting the sample to produce a dietary fiber solution and then centrifuging the dietary fiber solution to produce a pellet and a supernatant liquid. After separating the supernatant liquid from the pellet, the pellet can be analyzed to determine a content of non-dietary fiber components in the pellet. The dietary fiber content in the pellet can be determined from the content of the non-dietary fiber components in the pellet. By using centrifugation to help isolate the dietary fiber in the sample, fiber loss may be minimized, leading to a more accurate determination of the content of dietary fiber in the sample.

Abstract: An oil quality sensor to determine the quality of deep-frying oil by measuring the capacitance of the deep-frying oil in a deep fryer includes a housing and a hollow space in the housing through which the deep-frying oil is guided. An inlet opening introduces deep-frying oil to the hollow space, and a drain opening guides the deep-frying oil out of the hollow space. A first bent electrode extends along the hollow space, and a second bent electrode extends along the hollow space and is arranged opposite the first electrode, in which case the two electrodes form a capacitor and deep-frying oil is guided through the space formed between these two electrodes to measure its capacitance. A first temperature sensor measures the temperature of the oil used for deep frying that needs to be measured.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for controlling a disinfection status of a heater and/or cooler for human body temperature control during extracorporeal circulation. The temperature control is conducted by use of a heat exchanger and a temperature control liquid circulating through the heat exchanger and the heater and/or cooler. The inventive method comprises using a long term disinfectant in the temperature control liquid, measuring and preferably recording the concentration of the disinfectant in the temperature control liquid and deducing a disinfectant status of the temperature control liquid from the measured concentration of the disinfectant in the temperature control liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high reflectivity integrating cavity and device to amplify and detect luminescent emissions produced by small concentrations of materials to be analyzed. Femto or nano molar concentrations of a material can be placed within the high reflectivity integrating cavity. At least the interior surface of the high reflectivity integrating cavity can comprise a coating that, at a designated wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, is transparent and non-absorbing to such designated wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. In addition to the isotropic field induced by the interior surface of the high reflectivity integrating cavity, the high reflectivity of the interior surface of the high reflectivity integrating cavity leads to very large effective optical path lengths within the interior of the high reflectivity integrating cavity, thereby amplifying the luminescent emissions produced by the sample.

Abstract: A device for analysis and monitoring of toxicity in waters is described. The device is specifically devised for determining toxicity in waters in several samples at the same time and in quick time with a high degree of accuracy and precision. The device has application in the field of controlling and monitoring the water resources and in the field of the ecotoxicological analyses.

Abstract: A test apparatus (12) and a method of testing a sample (30) are disclosed. The method comprises receiving a test sample (30) within a test chamber (14), the test chamber (14) containing two or more iron saturation elements (2) separated by a spacer (16); and filling the test chamber (14) with a test solution, the iron saturation elements (2) being arranged to saturate the test solution with iron. Each iron saturation element (2) is shaped such that it has a predetermined surface area such that the ratio of the volume of the test solution to the surface area of the iron saturation elements (2) and the test sample (30) exposed to the test solution can be calculated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of predicting, calculating, or analyzing the sintered density of uranium oxide (UOx) before uranium oxide is added in the pelletizing process during a process of manufacturing nuclear fuel, the method including measuring the chromaticity of ammonium diuranate using a spectrophotometer. The present invention provides a simple and highly reliable method of predicting the sintered density of uranium oxide (UOx), which overcomes the problem with a conventional technology where the sintered density of uranium oxide (UOx) can be analyzed only in a pellet state and a subsequent treatment process needs to be performed according to the analysis result.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample chamber for testing samples, comprising a bottom plate and a cover plate connected thereto, a sample reservoir for receiving a liquid and/or a sample to be tested, and a contact electrode which is arranged entirely in the bottom plate, in the cover plate or between the bottom plate and the cover plate and which is electrically conductively connected to a conductor element or semiconductor element disposed in and/or on the sample chamber, wherein the bottom plate and/or the cover plate are designed in such a way that an electrical contact with the contact electrode can be established from the outside in such a way that an electrically conductive connection to the conductor element or to the semiconductor element can be established from the outside through the bottom plate or through the cover plate via the contact electrode.

Abstract: A method and device for visually recording hydraulic conductance through a sectioned piece of dentin; and which can be used to measure the effectiveness of treatments to reduce the permeability of dentin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the identification of a channel modulator, such as an agonist or antagonist, that interacts with one or more or LRRC8A, LRRC8B, LRRC8C, LRRC8D and/or LRRC8E and/or protein complexes thereof. The invention further relates to an isolated heteromeric protein complex comprising one or more or LRRC8A, LRRC8B, LRRC8C, LRRC8D and/or LRRC8E for use in such methods, in addition to kits suitable for carrying out such methods. The invention therefore relate preferably to the use of LRRC8 proteins and complexes thereof for the identification of VRAC (VSOAC) modulators.

Abstract: The present invention is based on applicants' discovery, disclosed herein, of agonists for the TAS2R receptors TAS2R1, TAS2R4, TAS2R9, TAS2R13, TAS2R14, TAS2R16, TAS2R38, TAS2R39, TAS2R44, TAS2R46, and TAS2R60. The assignment of agonists to these receptors makes assays for identifying compounds that modulate bitter taste possible. For example, the present invention provides methods of identifying compounds that inhibit the bitter taste due to these agonists. The present invention also provides methods of identifying compounds that selectively inhibit the bitter taste due to these agonists. The present invention further provides methods of identifying compounds that mimic the bitter taste due these agonists. The present invention also provides methods of identifying compounds that enhance the bitter taste due to these agonists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for testing a multi-function and a drug response of platelet based on a centrifugal microfluidics. The testing apparatus according to the present invention may include: a rotatable disk; a sample chamber arranged at the center of the disk such that a blood sample is accommodated therein; stirring chambers respectively connected to the sample chamber in multiple radial directions so as to introduce a shear flow in the blood sample; microchannels connected to the stirring chambers such that adhesion and cohesion of platelets occur during the movement of the blood sample; and a waste sample chamber in which the blood sample is accommodated after passing through the microchannels. According to the present invention, multiple drug tests can be performed on a single blood sample at one time in multiple channels such that multiple tests is possible with respect to complex platelet functions, and thus testing time is reduced and testing costs can be saved.

Abstract: Existence of human trophoblast stem (hTS) cells has been suspected but unproved. The isolation of hTS cells is reported in the early stage of chorionic villi by expressions of FGF4, FGFR-2, Oct4, Thy-1, and stage-specific embryonic antigens distributed in different compartments of the cell. hTS cells are able to derive into specific cell phenotypes of the three primitive embryonic layers, produce chimeric reactions in mice, and retain a normal karyotype and telomere length. In hTS cells, Oct4 and fgfr-2 expressions can be knockdown by bFGF. These facts suggest that differentiation of the hTS cells play an important role in implantation and placentation. hTS cells could apply to human cell differentiation and for gene and cell-based therapies. Disclosed herein are methods for treating diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, with neural stem cells differentiated from the hTS cells such as those expressing Oct4, SSEA-1, SSEA-3, and SSEA-4.

Abstract: A method of isolating exosomes includes conducting at least one purification step in the presence of an organic zwitterion having a molecular weight of less than about 350 Daltons, a buffering pK of a negatively charged portion of the organic zwitterion is at least one full pH unit below an operating pH at which the at least one purification step is conducted, and a buffering pK of the positively charged portion of the organic zwitterion is at least one full pH unit above the operating pH.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved binding compounds capable of specifically binding Gram-positive bacteria. Binding compounds are provided that are fully human, enabling therapeutic applications in human individuals.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro method to aid the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), comprising determining the level of expression of one or more tropomyosin isoform(s) corresponding to P09493-3 and/or P09493-1 in a patient's sample. A kit comprising probes that bind to tropomyosin isoforms P09493-3 and P09493-1 is also provided.

Abstract: Provided are pro-substrates useful in assays of living cells. The pro-substrates can be used to detect the presence or absence of enzymes, such as luciferase, in living cells. The pro-substrates can be coelenterazine derivatives or analogs.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a magnetic structure having grooved surface to biologically bond magnetic labels to a biological substance within the grooves. The grooves are positioned within the magnetic structure so that stray magnetic fields from the magnetic structure magnetize magnetic labels within the groove. The magnetic labels may be magnetic nanoparticles or magnetic microbeads. The techniques may reduce or eliminate the usage of any external magnetic field generator, e.g., electromagnets or current lines.

Abstract: A biosensor using a decoupled microfluidic device, which has a capture chamber and a detection chamber separate from and in fluid communication with each other. The sensing method is based on particle aggregation via homogeneous reactions, by employing microparticles having antibodies on their surfaces which can form aggregates through antigen mediation. Either size-separation or magnetic based separation is used to separate aggregates from single microparticles; the aggregates are later dissociated and the resulting single microparticles are counted to measure the amount of the antigen. Another biosensor uses a decoupled microfluidic device with a capture chamber and a detection chamber, and a 3-D structure in the capture camber to increase immobilized antibody concentration. Immunoreaction efficiency is improved by increasing the number of antibody per reaction volume in the capture chamber.

Abstract: The test device is provided with a testing means for testing an added extraction solution utilizing immunochromatography or nucleic acid chromatography, an extraction solution container, and a tubular guiding member having an extraction solution inflow port communicating with the extraction container in a sealed manner at one end side and having an extraction solution outflow port at the other end side. The guiding member is configured so as to have inside the tube a rod-shaped extraction solution guide having capillary action and having one end at the extraction solution outflow port side able to contact the testing means and so that the extraction solution absorbed from the extraction solution inflow port side at the extraction solution guide moves by capillary action through the inside of the extraction solution guide and is added to the testing means through the one end of the extraction solution guide contacting the testing means.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multiplex microarray having serially attached non-functionalized biomolecules attached to a polymer coating covering each electrode of an array of electrodes for assays and a method of making the multiplex microarray. The method comprises serially blocking the electrodes of the microarray with a blocking protein, electropolymerizing pyrrole or a functionalized pyrrole on the electrodes where the biomolecule is not present during polymerization, exposing the microarray to a biomolecular solution containing a non-functionalized biomolecule for attachment to the polymer coating, and then repeating the steps to form the multiplex microarray.

Abstract: A method of detecting a biomarker in one embodiment includes identifying a quantity of biomolecule types in a sample, exposing the sample to a plurality of test sites, wherein the number of test sites in the plurality of test sites is equal to or greater than the identified quantity of biomolecule types, establishing, for each of the plurality of test sites, a respective test environment, wherein the test environment for each of the plurality of test sites is different from the test environment for each of the other of the plurality of test sites, obtaining a detection signal associated with each of the plurality of test sites, and determining the concentration of one of the biomolecule types based upon the obtained detection signals.

Abstract: An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone that includes a reagent cell having a line of symmetry in the direction of fluid flow; a reagent material in the reagent cell, wherein the reagent material includes a first reagent material located at the axis of symmetry and is left-right symmetric, and a second and third reagent material having a substantially identical shape and volume and located in mirror locations from the line of symmetry; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the detection zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample addition zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path.

Abstract: As described herein, lactosylceramide (LacCer) levels are up-regulated in the CNS during chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an experimental model of multiple sclerosis (MS). LacCer acts in an autocrine manner to trigger transcriptional programs that promote the recruitment and activation of CNS infiltrating monocytes and microglia, and neurodegeneration. In addition, increased B4GALT6 expression and LacCer levels were detected in CNS MS lesions in human patients. Finally, the inhibition of LacCer synthesis suppressed local CNS innate immunity and neurodegeneration in EAE, and interfered with the activation of human astrocytes in vitro. Thus, B4GALT6 is a therapeutic target for MS and other neuroinflammatory disorders.

Abstract: The subject invention provides point-of-care assays for assessing the topographical distribution of microbial biofilm and/or specific microorganisms in wounds.

Abstract: Provided herein are multiplex assays for determining whether an individual is or has been infected with Hepatitis B virus, and the stage of infection or resolution. In addition, the multiplex system can discriminate between vaccinated subjects and subjects susceptible to Hepatitis B infection.

Abstract: Methods of optimizing mRNA sequences for expression in host cells are provided. Methods of determining the stability of a protein are also provided. Methods of determining the affinity of a ligand for a protein are also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining concentrations of target proteins in a protein sample can involve: (i) contacting the protein sample with an aptamer library to form a mixture; (ii) allowing the aptamers in the aptamer library to bind to the target proteins in the protein sample; (iii) removing the aptamers that have not been bound to a target protein in the mixture; and (iv) measuring the concentration each aptamer bound to proteins in the mixture. The concentration of a particular protein in the protein sample can be derived from the measurements of the concentrations of the aptamer or aptamers bound to that particular protein in the mixture.

Abstract: A device and system for detecting an antigen present in a sample is provided. The system includes a cartridge and a reader device. The cartridge includes a solid support having an addressable array of at least one type of antibody that is specific for a target antigen and forms a complex in the presence of the target antigen, a substrate having a mounting surface for the solid support, Protein M for competitively displacing the target antigen from the complex, and a housing for protecting the substrate. The reader device is configured to detect the antigen in a liquid sample via interaction with the cartridge.

Abstract: Methods to estimate safety and/or efficacy of therapeutic drugs, which include portable devices for anti-drug antibody (ADA) testing and databases containing anonymized data from humans and/or animal models, and related analyses, are provided. These methods and compositions can be used in various applications, including but not restricted to the following: uniform testing of patients for ADA; selection of therapeutic drug for patient treatment; evaluation of the need to change therapeutic drug or to apply tolerance regimens; selection of patients for clinical trials; comparison of therapeutic drugs marketed for a given disease and also gene therapy; scientific guidance for discovering and/or developing therapeutic drugs; postmarketing surveillance of therapeutic drugs.

Abstract: Methods of determining cancer progression or cancer relapse in a subject at risk for cancer progression or cancer relapse, the methods comprising: obtaining a sample from said subject; measuring the level of VEGFR1+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and/or VEGFR2+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in said sample; and taking additional samples and conducting additional measurements of HPCs and/or EPCs at one or more later time points. From the measurements, it can be determined whether there is a surge in the level of HPCs and/or EPCs in at least one later measurement, relative to an earlier measurement. A surge in the level of HPCs and/or EPCs indicates increased risk of progression or relapse of said subject's cancer.

Abstract: A method for the risk detection, early diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of Parkinson's disease in an individual by measuring the amount of specific biomarkers present in a bodily fluid and comparing them to a reference level of biomarkers in a sample from a healthy person, a person previously diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, or an earlier sample from the individual of interest.

Abstract: Methods and devices for rapid assessment of the severity of injury not due to a natural disease based upon measurement of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the rapid monitoring of biological analytes in a point-of-care setting by providing a smart phone; providing a sample chamber; providing a sample; providing a dark box with a smartphone holder attached to the dark box top with the camera opening positioned about the aperture, adding a biological specimen suspected of containing a biological analyte in the sample chamber; adding a bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate, an imidazole and a fluorophore to the sample chamber to react with the biological analyte; placing the sample chamber into the dark box; generating an emission from the fluorophore in response to the reaction with the biological analyte; and recording a set of time-lapse images of the emission with the smartphone.

Abstract: We disclose a drug tracking system and method of use which may be used to screen a subject's bodily waste and to identify the drug the subject has consumed. The system includes a drug that is tagged with a food dye that may be detected in the subject's bodily waste using absorption spectroscopic analysis. The subject consumes the tagged drug and a user obtains a sample of the subject's bodily waste. The user may analyze the subject's urine using an absorption spectroscopic technique. The user may enter the emission spectrum obtained from the absorption spectroscopic analysis into a database that includes the signature emission spectra from multiple food dyes that are used as drug tags. The emission spectra may be compared and the identity of the food dye and its associated drug may be determined.

Abstract: A liquid analysis system for a photometric determination of an analyte in a liquid sample includes an analyzer comprising a photometer, an RFID parameter reading device and an identifier reading device, and a cuvette package comprising an RFID parameter transponder and a plurality of test cuvettes of one batch. Each test cuvette comprises a reagent. Batch identification and batch-specific reagent data are stored in the RFID parameter transponder. Each test cuvette comprises a batch-specific identifier including a batch identification. The batch identification is configured to be read by the identifier reading device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in an in vitro diagnostics setting may include an automation track, a plurality of carriers configured to carry a plurality of sample vessels along the automation track, and a characterization station including a plurality of optical devices. A processor, in communication with the characterization station, can be configured to analyze images to automatically characterize physical attributes related to each carrier and/or sample vessel. A method may include receiving a plurality of images from a plurality of optical devices of a characterization station, wherein the plurality of images comprise images from a plurality of perspectives of a sample vessel being transported by a carrier, automatically analyzing the plurality of images, using a processor, to determine certain characteristics of the sample vessel, and automatically associating the characteristics of the sample vessel with the carrier in a database.

Abstract: An integrated automation system for use in transporting samples between modules, the system can include a plurality of modules configured to be connected to one another for processing samples, each of the plurality of modules having an internal transport system. Each internal transport system includes one or more periphery track portions integrated within a respective module, each of the periphery track portions having two ends and one or more transverse track portions integrated within the respective module, the one or more transverse track portions intersecting at least one of the one or more periphery track portions. The internal transport systems can be configured to connect to one another via one end of the two ends connecting to one end of the two ends of adjacent periphery track portions, thereby forming a continuous periphery track running through and connecting the plurality of modules. Samples are transported along the continuous periphery track and the one or more transverse track portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pipette assembly and a liquid handling element employing such a pipette assembly for filling containers. The pipette assembly comprises a biasing member that prevents the containers from being displaced vertically upon withdrawal of the pipette assembly from the containers.

Abstract: In order to increase the accuracy of dispensing liquid from a sealed liquid holding container without increasing device complexity, pressures inside and outside the sealed liquid holding container are measured with a pressure sensor connected to a dispensing probe, and the amount of discharge operation of a pump is corrected in accordance with the measured pressures. The amount of operation of the pump is corrected by calculating the amount of deformation of a dispensing flow passageway due to pressure change.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for wind sensing on sailboats. Wind is important for sailing, but sailboats lean away from the wind when under sail. Vertical wind angles reduce the accuracy of existing anemometers. The cup blades disclosed here do not lose rotation speed when heeling over. Since it is now easy to have a sophisticated chartplotter display on a mobile device in waterproof case even on small boats, this waterproof wind sensor is a wireless “appcessory” that can talk to smartphones, tablets, computers, e-readers and marine electronics. The circuit board is encapsulated and is itself the wind direction arrow. A fluxgate compass on the circuit board provides wind direction. The apparatus is solar-powered, so there is no wiring to install or chafe. This allows a further inventive step for raising the anemometer using the mast track without needing to climb up or lower the mast.

Abstract: A MEMS chip for wind speed measurements is provided. The chip integrates one or multiple embedded channels and a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor consists of a sensing membrane with a cavity beneath it. Each channel has one end connects to the cavity while the other end opens on the edge of the chip. To measure the wind speed, the membrane faces the wind and the air stagnates onto it while the channel connects the cavity to the static pressure. And the membrane deforms according to the wind pressure. The wind speed is then derived from the measured wind pressure.

Abstract: A probe system, mixed primary reference probe for an aircraft, associated aircraft and measuring method are disclosed. In one aspect, the probe system includes a base designed to be fastened on the cockpit of an aircraft, a plurality of regularly spaced static pressure taps, arranged through the base and designed to be connected to a pressure measurement device. The system includes at least one optical window transparent to laser radiation and inserted into the base.

Abstract: System and method for remotely sensing the cross-flow orientation of a fluid (including a gaseous fluid) over an extended range. A Fourier transform of beam wander of a single beam can be used to determine the orientation of the flow field. Many applications depend upon accurate flow orientation data to provide correct information such as, for example, citing of turbines on wind farms and atmospheric/ocean weather prediction.

Abstract: The accelerometers disclosed herein provide excellent sensitivity, long-term stability, and low SWaP-C through a combination of photonic integrated circuit technology with standard micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Examples of these accelerometers use optical transduction to improve the scale factor of traditional MEMS resonant accelerometers by accurately measuring the resonant frequencies of very small (e.g., about 1 ?m) tethers attached to a large (e.g., about 1 mm) proof mass. Some examples use ring resonators to measure the tether frequencies and some other examples use linear resonators to measure the tether frequencies. Potential commercial applications span a wide range from seismic measurement systems to automotive stability controls to inertial guidance to any other application where chip-scale accelerometers are currently deployed.